plant selection for beginning collection

17 years ago

Hi,

I am working on beginning an orchid collection in one of my vacant windows. I've done quite a bit of research and I think I may have reasonable growing conditions for some orchid varieties, but I wanted to consult with experts before I acquired any plants. My growing conidtions are something like this- A large west facing window (which has a nonremovable screen in it which softens the sun ever so slightly- the window takes fairly direct sun from about 1:30pm until sunset), relative humidity of around 50% in the summer and 40-45% in the winter, day temps of 73-76 and night temps of around 68. Despite the direct western exporsure the screening seems to prevent extreme heating... I'm hoping to find some plants that could be easy growing as well as easy and prolific in blooming- and fragrant. I expect that I'm probably asking for too much... After scanning through the inventory at norman's I had picked out a few plants that my novice eyes found interesting- I have listed them below. If anyone here has any experience or recommendations on these or perhaps other plants which I've overlooked I would be eternally grateful.

Autumn

Vuyl. Melissa Brianne 'Shady Ladys'

Slc. Puppy Candy 'Puppy Love'

Kir. Tropical Jewel 'Hihimanu'

Blc. Hawaiian Mini Island 'Carmela'

Phal. Texas Mist 'Jean Lee'

Phal. schillerana

Dtps. 'Red Coral'

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Comments (10)

mehitabel
17 years ago
I'll just comment on Phal Texas Mist. This is an extremely vigorous, easy to bloom phal. I don't see how you can miss with it.

I got one last year from Norman's. Each flower lasts well over two months. Mine grew a new leaf over a period of about two months in a northwest window that is mostly north, and had about two hours of evening sun from 5pm on-- ie it continued to grow even in very suboptimal conditions.

It is in spike again right now.

I would also recommend Phal Sogo Champion from Norman's. It is my absolutely most favorite phal. This is a large flower, an intense, saturated, waxy purple, very beautiful. It shows up well both close up and far away. Each flower lasts a very long time, more than two months, and it blooms sequentially-- that is, the same spike keeps putting out new flowers. Mine has been in constant bloom since I got it in June of '06 with between 4 and 6 flowers on two spikes. It's especially beautiful next to something with a yellow flower.

Phal Baldan's Kaleidoscope is a beautiful phal that has super-vigour.

Can't miss with any of these three phals.
richardol
17 years ago
You will be more successful with any Slc than Blc, Lc, L or C. Slc requires less light in general than the others and is more likely to get enough from the half day's light than the others.

Pot might also be a good choice. You could consider Phrags.
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arthurm
17 years ago
I think you need to say where your Western Window is. As for your selection of orchids, i've got no idea whether they would do well or not.

Just curious as to whether some of these orchids would flower with such a narrow Annual and daily Temperature range. I really have no idea but perhaps the Phals might be more forgiving than the Cattleyas.
autumn808
Original Author
17 years ago
I'm located in central Oklahoma, USA at about 34 degrees North. Also, although my temperature range listed above is fairly narrow, that can be adjusted to widen it to an extent.
terpguy
17 years ago
The schilleriana may give you trouble. A lot of people find that they only way they can grow it successfully is mounted, and as a beginner I don't think mounted plants is what you need to be worried about because they are MUCH higher maintenance than potted plants. A number of people have problems with this particular plant.

The other one you might have problems with is the vuylstekeara. This is going to be a plant that wants slightly cooler conditions. Though i dont' speak from experience, I dont' think this would perform well with the other plants you have listed. Phals, catts, and Vuyls all have rather different growing requirements.

Other than that, i think you have a nice group there and I wish you the best of luck with whatever you order! :)
orchidaholic
17 years ago
The Vuyl. woud be a great choice. As would a lot of the other Intergenetices in the Oncidium aliance I.e. Beallara, Aliceara, Cambria, Miltassia, Wilsonara, Aspasia etc!!! Good luck with your search.
mrbreeze
17 years ago
Welcome to this forum from a fellow Okie. Can you believe all the rain in the last few days??? Wow!

Anyway, I'm sure those that you listed would do ok, others are better able to comment on that. I was just going to add that a few additional compact fl. lights can really expand what you'd be able to grow. You could get those Blcs and other floof or even some high light species (Brassavola nodosa, etc.). At one point I had vandas growing in my living room in OKC (not recommended). The possibilities are really endless. I do think Oncidium intergenerics would be a good choices even though I don't personally like them anymore. :) Good luck!
-MB
autumn808
Original Author
17 years ago
thank you everyone!
whitecat8
17 years ago
Hi, Autumn, I can't speak to your growing conditions, but one suggestion is to search the archives here for members' experiences with Norman's, which are mixed. If you can get the plants from someone with a more consistent customer service record and better plants, you'd be better off.

If there's something that only Norman's has, and you can't live without it, one option is to pre-order them for a show near you and have a longer-term orchid person check out the plants before you decide on them.

Otherwise, have a great time! Orchids are magic. Whitecat8
junglspy
17 years ago
another vote for the Baldan's Kaleidoscope! one of my favorite plants. also Onc. would probably do well, lots a fragrant ones. love the Sharry Baby, it makes the whole room smell like chocolate!

plant selection for beginning collection

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