Help me choose my next orchid

[ScottMcC]

My wife has decided that I'm allowed to purchase one more orchid. (just one, for reals, not two and saying it's one )

So...the contest begins. Tell me which orchid I should buy and why, along with a source for it. The plant should cost less than $50 (preferably less than $30) and be either in spike now or about to spike within the next few months.

My growing conditions: Temp: intermediate to warm. Light: anywhere from low to med-high. Humidity: 50-60%.

Winner gets...a sample of my calligraphy. limit one half page.

I will decide the winner, based on whatever criteria I want, on Wednesday.



yes, I did this by hand. the winner wouldn't get quite this much though.

[littlefrog]

How about an oncidium intergeneric? Cheap, easy to grow.

Not my personal favorite group of orchids, but lots of people love them.

[Mahon]

...Encyclia tampensis! Blooms like clockwork in June, little green flowers with purple spotted lip... Florida native... they are in bloom now, but there may be a few that will spike in a while... also a beautiful Carter and Holmes cultivar; Enc. tampensis var. alba 'Mendenhall' AM/AOS

-Pat

[Tindomul]

Ok, Bulbophyllum orthoglossum. This is a spring/summer bloomer. You should get it becuase its something that might be a little different. It likes to be kept moist, warm, and in bright shade. Perfect for the indoors if you ask me.
Here is the source, and a pic of the plant.
Oh and another reason you should get it is becuase the bloom is totally cool!
http://www.andysorchids.com/picturef...jpg&PicId=5266

[Piper]

It's going to totally depend on your tastes, Scott!

My thought du jour is a Brassia. They're spectacular flower spikes, and are just coming into bloom. I have the species verrucosa and it grows like an absolute weed. It has 30+ p-bulbs on it and is about to bloom three huge spikes.

My pick for you is a cross with the verrucosa. I just ordered one for myself, because the orange color is a knock-out, and very unusual for a spider flower. It's a Brssa. (Brassada) Mem. Bert Field. The verrucosa is crossed with an Ada (similar to the genus Brassia, so the flower characteristics are still spidery) aurrantiaca (a brilliant orange flower). So it's a primary hybrid to boot - always nice, in my book!

Norman's has them in spike for $40. That should just fit in your budget: http://www.orchids.com/shop/shopCatR...rch=bert+field

However you go, have fun choosing!

Julie

[cb977]

Welll, thanks a lot Scott! I started looking on the web to pick a plant for you and have now added 3 to my ever-growing list!

Anyway, check this out:
http://adoptanorchid.com/

Here's one that I'm looking forward to blooming in my own collection. I bought a compot of these and in a year they've grown a lot! I still have some time to wait but you could get to see the blooms before me!
It's gorgeous! It's also inexpensive
http://www.alohaorchid.com/detail.aspx?ID=145

[justatypn]

Scott you definitely have us all searching for just the right orchid for you and your bride. In your gallery I was looking for color and not sure what you have not shared with us but I like a variety of color in my collection. One of my favorites Potinara Exotic Dream (Blc. Goldenzelle x Pot. Mem. Seichi Iwasaki). The plant produces large standard sized plants with large flowers ranging from yellow and orange with colored lips and fragrant. It's a great price.

Check it out http://www.mauiorchids.com.

[Oscarman]

Any catt made with Blc. Oconee!
OR
Not enough species being grown.....here is a beauty.
Phal. amboinensis 'Chin Yo' - $25.00
http://bigleaforchids.com/catalog/pr...2a11b922e393fc

[ScottMcC]

so many good choices...but there must be more out there!!!

more more more!!!

[TADD]

Easy Neofineitia Falcata reasonably priced and beautifully fragranced. You can get a decent sized standard white for $30.00 . I do agree with Mahon's encyclias are a nice choice!