New member beginner to orchids

[ermione]

Hello,everyone!I am a new member from Greece.I have a small collection of orchids,most of them NOID phals, cattleyas and oncidiums. I have made a lot of mistakes with growing them but I try to learn from them.I have been reading many advices in this forum and everyone seems very helpful. I am sorry for any mistakes I have made trying to write in English.

[VanIsleVanessa]

Hello! I am a new member also! I finally got my first orchid due to the fact I had heard they were hard to keep. I am here to learn all about them in keeping them in an office and household environment!

[Dollythehun]

Well, welcome, both of you! Your english is better than my greek for sure. You will both learn more...And get more opinions than you thought possible!

[jkofferdahl]

Here is a good threat to start with. Ermoine, your written English is better than my own!

There are a number of orchids which are actually quite easy to grow, and Phalaenopsis is among the easiest. If you can grow an African Violet then you can excel with a Phal. The real trick is to know and understand the conditions where your plants grow BEFORE you buy an orchid.If you can provide conditions which are reasonably close to what the plant is comfortable with, you'll do fine. So, if you live in a warm house don't buy cold-loving orchids!

[Dollythehun]

😥

[estación seca]

Welcome!

[VanIsleVanessa]

Thank you for your input about the dry heat. I am a bit confused because I have been reading things about humidity for orchids. Am I also to understand that they like diffused light and not direct sunlight? Thanks!

[rbarata]

Welcome both of you!

Am I also to understand that they like diffused light and not direct sunlight?

It all depends on the orchid. Finding and trying to emulate the right conditions for our orchids is part of the fun of orchid growing.

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by VanIsleVanessa

Thank you for your input about the dry heat. I am a bit confused because I have been reading things about humidity for orchids. Am I also to understand that they like diffused light and not direct sunlight? Thanks!

"It's a dry heat" is an expression we used in the states. Estacion uses it as his Orchid Board tagline. It's one of those slang sayings that makes American hard to learn.

When people live where it is hot and dry, they joke about the lack of humidity ( which makes the Midwest uncomfortable) by saying "yes, but, it's a dry heat."

Each type of orchid has its own requirements. When we know what you have, we can answer more precisely.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by VanIsleVanessa

Thank you for your input about the dry heat. I am a bit confused because I have been reading things about humidity for orchids. Am I also to understand that they like diffused light and not direct sunlight? Thanks!

Some orchids prefer very low light levels, others intermediate, still others like direct sunlight. Some like cold, some like intermediate temperatures, and some like it hot. There are about as many variations on preferred conditions as there are species of orchids. It's always easiest to buy plants that fit your growing conditions rather than having to try to adapt your conditions to a plant.