Hello, rainydaywoman, and welcome to the orchid world!

You likely saw either a Cymbidium or a Phaius. Do a quick Google image search to see if that's what you saw. Neither are really beginner plants and they both need tons of lights that artificial light simply cannot provide, unless you go really hardcore with high pressure sodium or the like (don't - it'll cost you hundreds just to buy the lights, they take tons of power and put out lots of heat too).

Generally, beginners start with Phalaenopsis, or the moth orchids that you'll see available pretty much anywhere. Thing is, they prefer intermediate to warm house temps, but on the other hand, they don't need tons of lights and will do very well with artificial light. They're also not fussy about humidity. I've included below a link to cultural notes developed for indoor growers. While zone 8 is nowhere near as far north as I am, they can still be a useful starting point. You might be better off with Oncidium. Many enjoy being a bit cooler and you could get away with artificial lighting, although they do like good humidity. Most orchids don't need lots of special care - you just have to know that many are epiphytes, which means their roots need air, so no dirt and no always being wet. Beyond that...

We can probably give you more detailed advice with a little bit more information. What are your approximate day and night house temps? You say you do not have any sunny windows - which directions do your windows face and are they not sunny because they're obstructed or some other reason? For artificial lights - I'm assuming you mean fluorescent tubes? What state are you in? What is your experience with plants?

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Julie

Here is a link that might be useful: Orchid Culture Notes

I agree with Julie. Phalaenopsis are very similar in culture to african violets. If you've ever tried african violets and could grow them, you'll likely be able to grow Phalaenopsis (or Phals as they're commonly called.) I'm in zone 9 and still fairly new to orchids, less than a year, but have an Oncidium Alliance orchid as well. I bought it in bloom and the flowers are since past, but it is growing very well for me. Temperatures near it average 65, humidity around 40% this time of year, and moderate light coming through a window. The only other type of orchid I have is an Ascocenda, which I would not recommend because you say you have fairly low light. These are high light orchids and will not bloom without it.

Thx for the info. I live in Oregon, and my gardening friends and I all dispute the "zone 8"; seems more like 7. My house is an old fixer, so it has the small mullioned windows that let in little lite, but lots of cold air leaks. I'm budgeting for weatherization, and a new furnace, but in the meantime I have a real problem with my plants. My utility room faces south and I installed large windows, but there is no heat. I have narrow windows facing north, south, east (shaded), and west.

I've spent most of my energy on my yard and it is now a pretty nice tropicalesque garden--bananas, cannas, gingers, bamboo, aroids, hibiscus, ornamental grasses, ferns, tons of lilies, etc etc. I'm generally good with houseplants, terrariums, and I have a Wardian case waiting for the right plant. I have a medium-size collection of tillandsias, most of which I gathered myself in Central America, and I'm very familiar with their care. They would be happier with warm, sunny windows, tho. If I could treat an orchid like a tillandsia, I would be OK---no potting medium to worry about.

I read and saved the orchid-culture site--thx. Now I'm thinking that I should use either a terrarium or Wardian case with a heat lamp when it is cold, & a florescent lite if needed; the humidity would be high & consistent. Any suggestions?

The thing with terrariums and Wardian cases is that orchids don't like still air - it's a recipe for mould and rot. You'll need to ensure some air movement. Lots of people use computer muffin fans. If you can...

Let me be bold and suggest something I usually wouldn't do. Take a look at the Masdevallia and Pleurothallid alliance. They are not beginners' plants, but your conditions could be right for them. They like high humidity (terrarium/Wardian case - check), cooler temperatures (check) and most don't require lots of light (fluorescent lighting - check). The only two other things you would have to be careful of are air movement and pure water - these little guys are sensitive to dissolved salts, so hopefully your tap water is really low in TDS, you collect rain water or have access to RO water. They are smaller plants, usually potted in sphagnum moss, and like staying pretty moist all the time. And watch out for summer temperatures - they need cooler temperatures year round (you didn't mention if your house was also cooler during the summer, or if it got really hot then). The thing is, these are some of the coolest orchids around and pretty neat. They also come from the same places as your Tillandsia. If you've got the conditions for them, go for it!

If you'd like to start with something a little easier and more common, I'll reiterate my suggestion for Oncidium and would steer you towards the ones with bigger flowers in whites and purples, like Beallara Tahoma Glacier (do a Google image search, then look for something similar). You won't need the Wardian case (they'll be fine with house humidity, especially since you're not in the desert) and they'll enjoy the cooler temperatures. Be sure that they have some sort of day/night temperature difference (easy - lights on, warmer; lights off, a bit cooler). You will need some supplemental light, though, but they'll be fine with the fluorescents. They will be potted in a bark mixture, maybe with some sphagnum moss. Repot every couple of years in an "orchid mix" available at HD or the like. Water when the plant is dry, about every week or so. You'll be able to tell by the weight of the plant. Those pseudobulbs at the base of the leaves store water, so they don't need to stay very wet. Fertilize every other watering or so. And voila!

Julie

Thx so much for taking the time to answer my question. There is a well-reputed orchid grower in my area, Briggs Hill Orchids, so I think I'll go there & look at Oncidiums. Psychologically, I know the larger flowers will hold my tropical-loving attention better, and perhaps I can afford a large, mature plant. Living in Oregon, where it rains and is overcast most of the winter and spring, I gravitate toward the tropicals (at least the humidity is high here).

I agree with Julie. Your temps might be too cold for Phals which like more warmth. Masdevallias are very pretty and love cooler temps. They are trickier to grow, but you sound like you have the conditions. The Oncidiums might work also with some supplemental light until they can go outside in the Spring. They need more light.

Good luck,
Jane

Actually, the good sodium lights with ballasts, like those used for indoor hydroponics, don't cost an arm and a leg to operate. However, they are very expensive to purchase, and they do tend to put out some heat. It might not be the best investment for a beginner.

I would begin by assessing my indoor environment, and by doing a little research into the types of orchids that might best be suited to the conditions I had to work with.

Everyone recommends Phalaenopsis for beginners, but in my own environment, it turns out that Dendrobiums are better suited to the conditions. Phals do ok... but the Dens are a little happier.

Keep in mind that a green thumb is actually knowledge, and that luck plays no role in successful container growing. If you learn the basic relationships between the factors that make up a potted planting, such as the medium, moisture, fertilizer, light, temperature, humidity, and the plant behavior, and you expend a little effort, the possibility of success is raised so much more.

Happy Growing, with whichever orchid type you choose!