Hello from London - Orchid Board

juliaT · #1 09-07-2017, 10:10 AM

Hi everybody!

I am new in the forum!!! and quite a beginner, but completely in love with the hobby. At the moment I am going through the boundary of having something else apart from phals. However, I mostly have phals, recovering from the worst full water culture experience...but hey! I am saving all of them!!! (still surprised)

charlesf6 · #2 09-07-2017, 10:19 AM

Welcome!

Quote:

..but hey! I am saving all of them!!! (still surprised)

And good for you!!

marcmaubert · #3 09-07-2017, 11:12 AM

Hi! I hope all of your orchids make a full recovery! Some Paphs need similar care to Phals, so those are a no-brainer. I was just reading about how Cymbidiums were really popular in England during Victorian era, because buildings lacked heating and had huge windows (and Cymbidiums need lots of light and cool climate), maybe you could try them too? Good luck!

juliaT · #4 09-07-2017, 11:27 AM

hahahaha I was actually thinking about purchasing a cymbidium from a local market on Sunday! no joking! not living in a Victorian house though, maybe I should move to one? haha. Anyway I want to try, maybe not one of the Australian variation that I've been reading are more peaky, lets see what I find

estación seca · #5 09-07-2017, 02:36 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

marcmaubert · #6 09-07-2017, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juliaT

hahahaha I was actually thinking about purchasing a cymbidium from a local market on Sunday! no joking! not living in a Victorian house though, maybe I should move to one? haha. Anyway I want to try, maybe not one of the Australian variation that I've been reading are more peaky, lets see what I find

You should totally move to one... it's a sacrifice you have to do for your orchids haha. If you have the light, you should try a Cymbidium for sure! Good luck!

camille1585 · #7 09-08-2017, 01:36 AM

Welcome to Orchidboard!

If you seem to be doing well with Phals now, you should try Paphs.

Do you have the right conditions for a Cymbidium? You need a bright sunny spot year round, and somewhere to put it in the winter that is both cool and bright.

I gave up trying to keep a Cym and getting it to bloom. Light wasn't the problem, but the cool winter requirement was tricky. I either had cool but dark, of freezing cold and bright... It not lives at my mother's home in mid/southern france, where she has the ideal spot for it in the winter.

juliaT · #8 09-08-2017, 05:03 AM

Thanks!!! I never thought on paphs because i strugle with humidity...but i may try, at the end of the day I have a nelly isler...
For the cymbidium i think i can, my flat is north west but quite bright (as bright as cloudy UK can be) but my flatmates are always feeling cold, what means that in winter i have the radiator closed in my bedroom so i have it....18-22 degrees...aprox. I dont know, to be honest I think I may be able so Im willing to try

camille1585 · #9 09-08-2017, 05:31 AM

What's your humidity at? I thought the UK was a lot like the Netherlands- usually hugh humidity.

For the cymbidium, 18-22 is still quite warm, I think most need night temps below 15C to induce blooms. But you won't really know until you try! I think there are also types that dont need as much of a winter rest, but not certain since I don't grow Cyms.

juliaT · #10 09-08-2017, 06:28 AM

UK outside is...40-60 but the higrometer i have with my orchids...doing nothing 15-20...i added humidity trays and 30ish so i put a humidifier mornings and evenings 3h and i get 40-50