Orchid ID for Beginner

[oceanfloor]

I went to Ikea tonight, I always check out their orchids but I've been looking for a particular kind since the New England Flower Show a few years ago (I think they were spider orchids and were brown spotted), but my Ikea only has the Phal... kind. Tonight however I found this, but I can't figure out what it is so I can water it correctly.

Brassia? Cattleya? It has five thin petals and one thick petal on the bottom with crinkly edges.





As I was leaving I stopped by the As Is, and I found ANOTHER one! This one had gone by, it's flower stalk is brown and a number of leaves at the bottom were brown, but I trimmed back the dead leaves and I think it might come back to life. This one was only $1 but is the same kind (the only two non-phals). This is a picture of its base after trimming, do you think it has a chance? Should I trim back the flower stalk to the bottom or to where it starts to turn brown?



Thanks for the help! My brother has a phal but I've been holding out for years and years and I want to make sure these two make it if possible.

[RenéeS]

Hello,
In the Netherlands this type of orchid is sold as Cambria (not sure if it's the same in the US). I have the feeling that most of them are mixes of crosses with oncidium, miltonia and odontoglossum.
They're sturdy houseplants though, I keep mine the same way as phals and they seem to do alright.

[billc]

Hi and Welcome! From the 2nd pic, it looks like an oncidium intergerneric. Colmanara, Wilsonara or Vulks.(can't remember rest of correct spelling). ReneeS is right on that they are hardy plants. I grow mine with a little more light than Phals. East window seems to be to their liking. I can't really make out what kind of mix yours is in, but it looks like spagnum moss. You may want to get it into a bark mix. Or make sure it doesn't stay too wet.
Good luck!

Bill

[oceanfloor]

Thanks!

I live in a really small apartment in downtown Boston, so I only have north- and west-facing windows - no east or south! They are in a north window right now, and I am planning on repotting them as soon as I see new roots, they are in a solid moss mixture.

[orkie]

I keep all my plants in west facing windows and they do well, including my Oncidium Alliance plants (of which yours is). North, especially with winter in Boston, will not provide enough light for blooming unless you set up some supplemental lights as well. I would suggest moving to the west window. You will have to make sure the plants don't get burned though (you can feel the leaves and if they feel hot, that isn't good). This is especially important in warmer months, so I wouldn't be concerned right now.