Build The Ultimate Orchid Collection
 

Hi Aaron! I also tried once to get people to give me their top two choices with the scenerio that if something terrible happened and they had to leave their home with only two orchids, which ones would they take. That created panic among everyone just thinking about it. LOL
My #1 choice of favorites are (drum roll please) a full size white phal because they last months and are somehow very regal looking when in bloom and when out of bloom, the roots are everywhere and the leaves are huge and beautiful.
My #2 choice is a fragrant full size Cattleya...preferably white with a deep red lip as the color contrast is striking and the fragrance just lifts the heart.
#3 would be Phrag Besseae (which I don't own yet) because of it's beauty and stoic appeal or wow factor.

Even though I collect mostly classic cattleya's, the one I choose first is a rather common catt.

C. Iwanagara Apple Blossom is my number one pick because she grows and grows with no fuss whatsoever. She blooms in the rafters of the greenhouse or sitting on the floor.

But the biggest reason is when that catt is in bloom, I can't help but smile as I step into the greenhouse. The fragrance fills the air and is so sweet and pure...I love it!!!

#2 choice would be Phrag Grande. Easy to grow. Not a bit fussy. The wow factor is in those long, long petals!

#3 Phal Strawberry Thrill. Smells so good and the red flowers are a bit small but very long lasting.

#4 Vanda coerulea because the color of the blooms is unbelievable!!! It's also easy to grow.

Kiki, I remember when you asked this question...what pandemonium!!!! lol

Thanks guys. Please keep 'em coming. I'll compile a list as we get more entrys.

AaronM

ummmm well... picking three of the top of mah head...:

- Stanhopea nigroviolacea: Easy to grow, warm-temerpate, low-light, doesn't need a heap of humidity, most incredible sent, most incredible flowers although shortlived...

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7...tan1hz6.th.jpg

- Phalaenopsis schilleriana: Easy to grow, some smell nice, silver/green leaves look great even out of bloom, tends to bloom heaps of flowers, beautiful silver/green roots as well.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3791/gaschill.jpg

- Dendrobium speciosum: Easy to grow, temperate, low water, beautiful thick architectural leaves out of bloom, amazing long racemes of dozens and dozens of flowers, amazing sweet scent.

http://www.orchid.or.jp/orchid/peopl...Den.specio.JPG

I purchased a 2 1/2 in. seedling of Blc Aloha Case x Hunting Island a year and a half ago. On 6-7-07 it was registered at RHS as Rsc. Robert & Michael. It is a compact and rapid grower and has bloomed twice in the last year. It is currently growing in a 6 in. pot and when I re-potted it I divided the plant and started a new plant from the back-bulbs that have now put out three new growths. I am sure that it would garner an AM if I could have it judged. The flower is about four inches, a vivid phoenician purple with a darker purple lip, a white callus and perfect form. The aroma must come from Heaven. If I could only keep one orchid it would be Rsc. Robert & Michael.

My second choice out of about 500 plants that I have is Renanetia Sunrise Am/Aos. It is a cross between Neofinetia falcata and Renanthera imschootiana. I have a mature plant with seven offsets. It blooms three times a year with branched sprays of six to eight spikes of red/orange neofenitia type flowers with a slight look of renanthera. The flowers are wonderfully scented and last up to two months or more.

The third choice is Renanthera monachica x Ascocenda Fuch's Gold. This is a small vanda type that blooms continuously with up to twenty, two inch, bright gold flowers with tiny purple spots. The spike last for 3 1/2 months and before the last few flowers fade another spike is produced so the plant is ever-blooming. Another keeper for sure. And of all places, this plant came from bill asis along with two other ascocendas that were suppose to be blooming size but after three years there are still no blooms.

The List Begins
 

The list so far:

Catastenum Alliance- Stanophea nigroviolacea :drool: (looks like a crazy alien plant)

Cattaleya Alliance- C.iwangara ‘Apple Blossom’ & Blc. Aloha Case x Hunting Island

Cymbidium Alliance- Phrag. Besseae & Phrag. Grande (another great crazy alien flower)

Dendrobium Alliance- Den. Speciosum

Phalaenopsis Alliance- Phal. Strawberry Thrill & Phal. schilleriana

Oncidium Alliance- Onc. sphacelatum (thats an addition from my favorites)

Vanda Alliance- V. coerulea, Renanetia sunrise, & Renanthera monachica x Ascocenda Fuch’s Gold

Thanks to everyone who has submitted so far. Special thanks to Undergrounder for including.
If anyone out there has better computer skills than mine, please feel free to add pictures for any of the orchids on "The List".
We still have six alliances that haven't been touched: Bulbophylum, Coelgyne, Cypredium, Maxillaria, Pleurothallis, & Misc. Please continue adding your favorites. It give all us collectors out here something to search for.

AaronM

I would say:

Catasetum pileatum (especially Imeperialis, Pierre Couret or any other red ones, or just the pure white form) &/or Catasetum tenebrosum

Cattleya skinerii &/or Cattleya mosiae
Blc. Eagle Eye All Victory
Laelia anceps (espcially var. Guerrero)
Laelia purpurata

Phrag. Jason Fischer &/or Phrag. wallisii
Paph. rothschildianum (or any of its hybrids) &/or Paph. Magic Lanter (has also a gorgeous foliage)
Cypripedium calceolus

Epigeneium treacherianum
Dendrobium speciosum &/or Dendrobium pierardii

Coelogyne cristata

Phalaenopsis amabilis &/or Phal. equestris

Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester (Rossioglossum grande)
Brassia Mem. Fritz Boedecker
Psichopsis (any of them!)
Ionopsis utricularioides

Rhynchostylis gigantea (even if I have no luck with it :() and/or Vanda Blue Magic

Cirrhopetalum lepidum

Sobralia virginalis
Maxillaria sophronitis
Mediocalcar decoratum

:)

Please add your own photos .. any other photos from any other sources - please post the link to it's webpage or website .. as we don't want to infringe on anyone's copyrights .. Thanks .. :)

Hi everyone. Could it be that we tend to change favorites? I do and did. My first love was the big exebition Cats followed by a love for Phals.. Now I have trouble getting enthused about taking care of them. The fascination and waiting with anticipation for my cymbidiums and Phrags to bloom that I did for Cats when I was a beginner has taken over. Oh and I love the Dendrobiums and Stanhopeas.

Dorothy you know If you right-click on the photo and click 'properties' it'll show where the photos are from, it's not like there's any suggestion that the photos are from any other source.. but just a tip, If you want it listed separately you may be ablt to have the [./img] tag codes do it automatically, or at least have that rule written down somewhere on the img tag process so you don't need to point it out to people after the fact..

but here are more pictures of the above plants that noone can sue me (or you) for...

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7...tan1cx6.th.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2...tan2yv5.th.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2...biesve9.th.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4993/specqz3.th.jpg

... just not nearly as impressive.

We love seeing beautiful orchid pictures here...bring 'em on!

The only thing we ask is that rather than posting an individual photo, you post a link to the site it was found on.
Just keeps things clear and reduces the chance for us to get any negative repercussions from the picture's owner .

Thanks :)

This would be my list as all are easy to grow. Includes both species and hybrids. Don't know about the "wow" factor as it is subjective - the eyes of the beholder.

1. Angraecum sesquipedale - A dramatic species with fragrant and showy stary shaped flowers.
2. Brassolaelia Yellow Bird - (B. Nodosa X Richard Mueller) Like most brassavola nodosa hybrids, this one is rather fast growing and trouble free.
3. Cattleya Chocolate Drop - (guttata X aurantiaca) Many cattleyas and their hybrids are of comparatively easy culture, but like many Cattleya aurantiaca hybrids, this one is among the easiest.
4. Dendrobium Emma "White" - (Gillian Leaney x tetragonum) The genus dendrobium is extremely diverse in type as well as case of culture. This one produces multiple sprays of white flowers with no fuss.
5. Prosthechea cochleata - (sym. Encyclia cochleata, Epidendrum cochleatum, Anacheillium cochleatun) The cocleshell orchid is among the easiest and most free-flowing or orchids species.
6. Neostylis Lou Sneary (New falcate X Rhy. Coelestis) A charming hybrid of the vandaceous miniature Neofinetia falcata, this one would be ideal for the grower without the room or gorwing conditions for a full sized vanda.
7. Oncidum Sweet Sugar - (Aloha Iwanaga x varicosum) This is just one of many easy-to-grow oncidium hybirds.
8. Paphiopedilum Maudiae (callosum x lawrenceanum) Here is an ideal slipper orchid for the beginner.
9. Phalaenopsis Baldan's Kaleidoscope (Hauserman's Candy X Daryl Lockhart) Even among the comparatively carefree phals, this one stands out.
10. Zygoopetalum mackavi - Most of the Zygopetalum species and their hybrids are rather tolerant of neglect.
11. Bulbophyllum Angel Wings - Flowers are fan shaped, cream petals w/red/orange tips. They dangle on the end of a very thin spike and the slightest breeze with make the lip look like their nodding their heads. (Must look closely as very tiny) NO stinky smell as with other bulbos.

The list could go on 'n' on 'n' on but I included those I feel are the easiest to grow without special needs as do some of the "odd balls" so as to speak.

Anybody growing a Cymbidella Rhodochilla? I love the many and unusual blooms.

AaronM, just for information purposes, Blc Aloha Case x Hunting Island now has a name. It is called Rsc. David & Michael.

Updated List
 

The list so far with my favorites marked.

Bulbophylum Alliance- Bulbophylum “Angel Wings”

Catastenum Alliance- Stanophea nigroviolacea:drool: , Catasetum pileatum:) , Catasetum tenebrosum

Cattaleya Alliance- C.iwangara ‘Apple Blossom’, Rsc. David & Michael, Brassolaelia Yellow Bird:) , Prosthechea cochleata, C. Chocolate drop “Kodama”:) , C. Skinneri, Laelia anceps:) , Laelia purpurata, C. Mossiae, Blc eagle eye “All Victory”*,

Coelogyne Alliance- Coelogyne cristata:)

Cymbidium Alliance- Nothing yet:(

Cypripedium Alliance- Phrag. Besseae:) , Phrag. Grande:) , Paph. Maudiae ‘The Queen’, Phrag. Jason Fischer, Phrag. wallisii, Paph. rothschildianum:) , Paph. magic lantern, Cypripedium calceolus

Dendrobium Alliance- Den. Speciosum:) , Den. Emma White, Epigeneium treacherianum:) , Den. pierardii:biggrin: ,

Maxillaria Alliance- Max. tenuifolia, Max. sophronitis, Zygopetalum mackayi

Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance- Onc. Sphacelatum:biggrin: , Brassia Mem Fritz Boedeker, Ionopsis utricularioides:) , Onc. Sweet Sugar:biggrin: , Onc. Sharry Baby, Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester,
Phalaenopsis Alliance- Phal. Strawberry Thrill, Phal. schilleriana:drool: , Phal. amabilis, Phal. equestris:) , Phal. “Baldin’s Kaleidoscope”, Phal equestris 'Riverbend' x 'Zuma Beach':), Phal. violacea var. coerulea***

Pleurothallis Alliance- Nothing yet:(

Vanda Alliance- V. coerulea, Renanetia sunrise, Renanthera monachica x Ascocenda Fuch’s Gold, Rhynchostylis gigantea, V. ‘blue magic’,

Misc.- Angraecum sesquipedale, Neostylis Lou Sneary, Cirrhopetalum lepidum:) , Sobralia virginalis, Mediocalcar decoratum


Please help fill out the thin alliances.

Thanks to all those who have contributed so far.

AaronM

I only have one bulbo, but I love it so I will add that one on. It is Bulb. Doris Dukes. Easy growing, multiplies quickly...Had mine 3ish years and has more then quadrupuled. Small flowers but produces many of them with shoots of 1,2 or 3 (so far, but who knows) per stem but shoots up many stems all over the place. Nice red/marroon spots with long tails and frilled top petal?or is it sepal? Well, the very top one! :)

I will also add a vanda that is very easy to grow and blooms about 3 times a year. It is Vanda Tharab Blue (which is V. Odgen Phipps x V. Coerulea). It's wow factor are the lovely thick roots, as well as the giant flowers it produces (close to palm size or about 4 inches?) and it has that glittery quality when sunlight hits it directly. The pic in my avatar is of that plant.

OK, to join in here, anything Angraecoid would be my vote.

How about Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Lace' ??? It's always blooming from a long spike and looks just like a butterfly floating in the air.

Some orchids I have in my collection that are easy to grow and don't require any special needs;

Onc Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragance'
Mormodes tuxtlensis
Vanda Sansai Blue
Cymibidiella pardalina
Oh I now have Cymbidium Little Black Sambo 'Black Magic' AM/AOS in my collection as well

Wow Chococatte that Cymbidium of yours would go on my list of non-PC orchids if I had such a list or cared in the least about political correctness.

Thanks for the add-ons all. I'll compile them in the next couple days.

AaronM

The Dream Orchid List

Bulbophylum Alliance- Bulbophylum “Angel Wings”, Bulb. Doris Dukes*

Catastenum Alliance- Stanophea nigroviolacea***, Catasetum pileatum*, Catasetum tenebrosum

Cattaleya Alliance- C.iwangara ‘Apple Blossom’, Rsc. David & Michael, Brassolaelia Yellow Bird*, Prosthechea cochleata, C. Chocolate drop “Kodama”*, C. Skinneri, Laelia anceps*, Laelia purpurata, C. Mossiae, Blc eagle eye “All Victory”*, Lc. Mem. Robert Strait 'Blue Hawaii'**

Coelogyne Alliance- Coelogyne cristata*

Cymbidium Alliance- Cymbidiella pardalina, Cymbidium Little Black Sambo ‘Black Magic’

Cypripedium Alliance- Phrag. Besseae*, Phrag. Grande*, Paph. Maudiae ‘The Queen’, Phrag. Jason Fischer, Phrag. wallisii, Paph. rothschildianum*, Paph. magic lantern, Cypripedium calceolus, Paph. 'Macabre'

Dendrobium Alliance- Den. Speciosum*, Den. Emma White, Epigeneium treacherianum*, Den. pierardii*, Den. spectabile**

Maxillaria Alliance- Max. tenuifolia, Max. sophronitis, Zygopetalum mackayi

Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance- Onc. Sphacelatum*, Brassia Mem Fritz Boedeker, Ionopsis utricularioides*, Onc. Sweet Sugar*, Onc. Sharry Baby, Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester, Psychopsis Mendenhal ‘Lace’

Phalaenopsis Alliance- Phal. Strawberry Thrill, Phal. schilleriana**, Phal. amabilis, Phal. equestris*, Phal. “Baldin’s Kaleidoscope”, Phal equestris 'Riverbend' x 'Zuma Beach'*

Pleurothallis Alliance- Dryadella edwallii, Dryadella aurea, Dryadella zebrina, Masdevallia strobelii, Masdevallia coccinea**, Lepanthes calodictyon,
Neocognauxia hexaptera

Vanda Alliance- V. coerulea, Renanetia sunrise, Renanthera monachica x Ascocenda Fuch’s Gold, Rhynchostylis gigantea, V. ‘blue magic’, V. sansai Blue, V. Tharab Blue

Misc.- Angraecum sesquipedale, Neostylis Lou Sneary, Cirrhopetalum lepidum*, Sobralia virginalis, Mediocalcar decoratum, Mormodes tuxtlensis

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed!

Aaron "The List Guy" M

Plurothallis Alliance:
Dryadella edwallii & Dryadella aurea ECOLOGY PHOTOGRAPHIC Dryadella ,
Dryadella zebrina http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/dryzebrina.jpg ,
Masdevallia strobelii Picture/Photo: Masdevallia strobelii. A species orchid ,
Masdevallia coccinea Masdevallia coccinea specimens at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate ,
Lepanthes escobariana Picture/Photo: Lepanthes escobariana. A species orchid ,
Lepanthes calodictyon Google-Ergebnis für http://www.terragalleria.com/images/studio/stud11287.jpeg ,
Neocognauxia hexaptera Picture/Photo: Neocognauxia hexaptera. A species orchid

Thanks Kavanaru.

AaronM

Hehe, funny you should mention that chid. :biggrin: I found a picture of it online and fell in love. I don't grow it but I will someday. ;)

I don't really have enough orchids to post a good favorites list, but of the ones I have now:

Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters'-relatively compact, a real survivor (mine had no viable roots when I got it:shock: ),and drop dead gorgeous red flowers you could drown in.

Paph. 'Macabre'-compact, beautiful leaves, and a darkly enchanting black flower with purple stripes that glow when backlit.

Maxillaria tenuifolia-easy, fast-growing, unique "climbing" growth habit, and mouthwatering coconut scent:drool: from intriguing flowers.

I also have an extensive wishlist (who doesn't?:evil: ), but I'll save that for another time or another thread.

Paph for me!
 

A Paphiopedilum would rank # 1 with me, like this Paph. Ho Chi Minh. Flowers are beautiful and leaves are nicely marked.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...o_Chi_Minh.jpg

I second all those who mentioned Laelia purpurata, Psychopsis and Phragmipedium bessae. Lovely. Personally, I could never part with my Dendrobium Dawn Maree. Statuesque and longlasting, the flowers are a perfect combination of pearly white and hot vermilion. Yum. Oh, and Blc. Greenwich is nothing to be sniffed at. The scent is breathtaking!

Placed some new items on the "official" list. Among them you will find the craziest Dendrobium around, Den. spectabile. Can't wait for mine to bloom so I can try to breed some bright colored Dendrobiums with it.

Aaron "Loves Them Crazy Lookin' Flowers" M

Please feel free to suggest some more additions.

After this weekend's orchid show, I have two more plants for the list. Phal. violacea var. coerulea and Gongora tricolor. However, I don't know which alliance Gongora fits into. A little help please.
Krull Smith has the Phal. violacea var. coerulea for sale for $75 bucks. That seems expensive until you see the pictures. http://www.krullsmith.com/p-93-phal-...-coerulea.aspx

Aaron "Owns A New Gongora tricolor" M

$75 for the phal? Why is it that expensive? I was just looking at that one a few days ago on internet and was thinking of ordering it. A dutch grower has blooming sized ones for 25€...

Sc. Tropical Pointer 'Cheetah' BM/JOGA HCC/AOS Blooms 3 to 4 times per year,flower has a fuity fragarance. Picture month of December in Orchid Board Calander

If my whole collection were to suddenly dissapear the first two plants I would run out and replace are:

Phal Baldan's Kaleidoscope "Golden Treasure"

and

Phal Everspring King "Lee"

definitely Psychopsis Mendenhall, amazing!

They don't get much prettier than that.

yeah jrhenneck, thats a really beautiful flower!

The macrobulbons are crucial. Bulbo phalaenopsis and fletcherianum are so obtuse and manly.

Angraecum didieri is should not be left out.

Leptotes telipogonaflora and calodictyon have to be the best miniatures in the pleurothallid realm.

Sophronitis coccinea (all forms!) Soph. cernua, Laelia pumila, briegeri, sincorana, and so many other rupiculous. Cattleya aclandiae, schillernia, and walkeriana.

Dendrobium cuthbertsonii flowers last for well one of mine has been in flower since Sept another Oct with little signs of deterioration. There isnt a Dendrobium that beats it in my opinion.

I'll add some more, all (of course) from Cypripedioideae:

Paph delenatii... for species nuts and Parvi nuts, this is one of the easiest Paph species to grow and bloom. It's got beautiful flowers, beautiful foliage, and it's widely available and at reasonable prices. Many clones are also fragrant, a rare trait in Paphs.

Phrag Don Wimber... This hybrid (besseae x Eric Young) has besseae influence in shape and color but inherits the vigour and easy-growing nature of Phrag longifolium. It's a bit less "touchy" than Phrag besseae can be.

Cyp parviflorum (all varieties)... For hardy garden orchids, look no further than this species. It's the easiest species to grow, and can be grown in any reasonable, well-drained garden soil in partial shade. Many clones are fragrant.

Cyp reginae... This is probably at or near the top of most peoples' favorite hardy orchid lists. No more difficult to grow than Cyp parviflorum, this showy plant prefers a nutrient-rich, well-drained, moist soil in partial shade. Slower-growing, but worth the wait, as large clumps are tough to match for beauty and splendour.

Paph Pinocchio... If you like the sequential blooming Cochlopetalums, this hybrid is probably the most readily available of that group. Like most Cochlos it is vigorous and easy to grow, and like all Cochlos, it flowers for very long periods of time.

Phrag Hanne Popow... This is a great, easy growing hybrid that combines the soft pink color of Phrag schlimii with the unique shape of Phrag besseae, though it is a variable cross. If you like the pink color of schlimii, this hybrid is an easier alternative.

I'll add some more later!

I just viewed your phal collection. They are all marvelous. Do you only grow phals? In a greenhouse? I seem to have good luck with them Outside in summer in the house in winter.

Here are my top five (note that these pictures are for reference. They are not pics of my plants - mine are more beautiful): :evil:

Bollea violacea (maxillaria/zygopetalum alliance)

http://users.silcon.com/~orwell/Bol_violacea.jpg

Easy, easy, easy. It takes a while to get established, but once it does, it grows like a weed. I grow it under phal conditions and it does just fine. The only major things to worry about with this plant are light intensity and water frequency. Though it can take some morning sun, the leaves scorch in light that is too bright. Also, the plant doesn't have pseudobulbs, so you have to be vigilant about watering. However, it's pretty tolerant of a wide temperature range and, as I said before, it is pretty hardy once acclimatized. This one's usually a summer or fall bloomer

Vanda brunnea (vanda alliance)

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/or...da_brunnea.jpg

I've found most vandas to be prissy, unforgiving plants that fail to bloom and grow if you make even the smallest mistake. Not this one. This is an ironclad of a plant that, as long as you water it well, will thrive with gusto. Anyway, it's standard vanda culture for this one - bright light and heavy watering. I've heard that it's a spring bloomer, but mine blooms later.

Pescatorea klabochorum (maxillaria/zygopetalum alliance)

http://www.scientific-web.com/en/Bio...abochorum1.jpg

Probably the easiest pescatorea to grow - "Ironclad" is a very fitting description of this plant. What's neat about it is that the foliage looks great even when it is out of bloom. The foliage consists of a bunch of leafy fans that clump together, making the plant resemble a robust daylily. And the flowers? Well, just look at the picture, and you'll see why it's one of my favorite plants.

These guys can also be grown in phal conditions (I.E. Warm, shady, and moist). They're less touchy about new conditions than are some other pescatoreas, and are much quicker to acclimatize. They seem to grow faster when they're exposed to some air circulation. However, like other pescatoreas and like the bolleas, they need to stay moist because they don't have pseudobulbs to hold moisture. This one usually blooms in the fall for me.

Pescatorea cerina (maxillaria/zygopetalum alliance)

http://img11.shop-pro.jp/PA01057/097...ct/9841798.jpg

Another tough-as-nails pescatorea - tolerant of less than perfect conditions and fairly fast growing (given good watering). Mine came to me in poor condition and bounced into life in only a matter of time. I grow it as I do my other pescatoreas and bolleas (see above), and it grows like a weed. Anyway, this is another fan-shaped plant, with fairly short and sout leaves. This particular pescatorea has yellow and white flowers (though I've seen some plants that have pure butter-yellow flowers). I think the flowers are cute (they remind me peeps marshmallows, the ones that are shaped like chicks). I've yet to flower this one, but it's doing so well that it'll probably bloom in no time.

Dendrobium Burana Stripe (dendrobium alliance)

http://www.fendersflora.com/images/buranastripe.jpg

Good ol' reliable. My very first orchid was one of these guys, and it continues to bloom for me year after year, no matter what I do to it. Every fall, I anxiously wait for the spikes to emerge and, surely enough, they do. The show only gets better as the plant gets older. The first time I got it to bloom, it put out one spike with five flowers. Last year, it put out four spikes, the longest with twelve flowers and the shortest with four. I'd really recommend this one to newbies because it's very forgiving about less-than-perfect culture.

I grow it in catt conditions and it absolutely thrives. The only pet peeve I have about this plant is the fact that it grows very slowly. It only puts out one new cane each summer and doesn't finish maturing it until late in the fall.