I second to Kevin's about orchids like sun. I just visited a friend of mine and noticed one of Sharry Baby I gave to him couple years ago was blooming . The bulb is huuuge and plumped , much larger than mine. I don't have a lot of issue growing orchids, or have orchids bloom, just following what it needs mostly of time. But I have never grown orchids that good comparing to my friend. He said he put the orchids outside in the summer under his large Bradford pear tree. The orchids got morning sun and later afternoon sum directly but got filtered sun in most of day time. He said his other orchids collection seems grow better this way too . I kept my orchids on the dry side and don't water my orchids very often. But I do spray /mist my orchids, the potting medium, and outside of the pot( clay) twice a day with water. And spray/mist the leaves especially the back side of the leaves with low strength fertilizer every day. This works well for me so far. I have all my orchids bloomed as they are supposed to be, and have my orchids grow new braches as they are supposed to be... But I will move my orchids outside this summer to see if I can make them grow bigger and better.

Matt could not be more right. It is difficult and takes specialized equipment. It's not as simple as planting some seeds and watching them grow. Sterile culture is involved. Look up the term both Arthr and Matt used: flasking. As a beginner I also urge you to focus first on learning how to grow the plants. Without that you'd never get the babies to grow. After a few years when you know you can grow and rebloom them, then you can think about attempting the process. During the time definitely educate yourself on the flasking process. Buy some compots and grow them up. Buy a flask and try to grow it up. Basically, your best bet at success is to build up to doing it all on your own, which I assume is your goal. Arthur's advice is also priceless (though I might be putting words in his mouth): go ahead and pollinate your plants. Get that experience. There are also labs that will grow the seeds for you. Lots of ways to go about this!

Here's a little post I wrote trying to explain to an ice cube grower how orchids actually do grow In their native habitat. Orchids really do grow all over the world, even above the arctic circle, but this one was aimed primarily at a Phalaenopsis grower, so will fit for you. Hope it helps. Bill(Z 7 central SC) Lets give some thought about where epiphytic orchids (or at least the vast majority of them) actually grow, and how. First, all epiphytic (so called air plants) are tropical, or subtropical. I know of only one that grows in a climate where freezing temps are the norm in winter. These plants grow on the high limbs in the tree canopy in the forest, or on the trunks of the trees. The ones that tolerate more sunlight are higher with less leaf cover for shade, and the ones wanting less light, on lower limbs, or on the trunks of the trees. Now imagine these limbs and tree trunks, thickly covered with all kinds of lichens, mosses, bromeliads, and assorted multitudes of other plants. The orchids grow among all of this, with roots that burrow down to the actual limb or trunk and attach themselves firmly to these solid supports. The orchid roots may grow many feet up and down these limbs or trunks, or perhaps hang down. In the tropics it rains most every day of the year, Maybe only a light shower, but rain. Most of this rain comes during the middle or hot part of the day, so no sooner does it hit the plant encrusted limbs than it begins to drip off or drain down the trunks, and as soon as the shower passes the sun comes out and aids in the evaporation of any moisture on the limbs. If there is a dry season, and the rains don't come every day, the mosses and other plants on the limbs do retain moisture for a considerable amount of time. So, orchids grow in trees, lightly shaded with their roots climbing around for yards, growing through bare areas, into constantly wet limb "crotches", and through the masses of other plants up there. They get completely soaked when it rains, but as soon as it stops the plants begin to dry. If the dry period is very long, the orchid will be reduced to getting moisture only from those very wet limb "crotches", and other protected places the roots have grown through or into. Now, you have an orchid in your home, what does it want? It wants a potting medium that its roots can grow around in and attach to. Some of those roots may decide to wander out of the pot and hang down, or grow up and around the plant, who knows, remember.....they think they are high in a tree. The orchid also wants a as much sunlight as it can stand....you will have to research this depending on the orchid, and understand this usually precludes those nice lush green succulent plants that develop just before the plant wilts into a mess from lack of light. Lots of air motion is also highly desirable. this also prevents lots of plant diseases, and problems like mold and fungus growth. The orchid also would like to become almost completely dry before watering, and then completely soaked for a watering, and then allowed to dry again. Some research is needed here again, for some orchids want a bit more moisture all the time, and must be watered more frequently.....Phalaenopsis for example. Three ice cubes just don't cut it! Tropical rain is warm, even at night, and three cubes can't water the entire plant. I think the three ice cube deal was a commercial attempt to prevent folks from overwatering their orchid plants. Orchids will live and actually thrive much longer when kept dry and starved for water than they will if kept wet all the time. Root rot will develop in a pot kept constantly wet before you know it, and although the plant will look ok for a good while, it has no roots to supply moisture and nutrients, and the first symptoms the plant does exhibit are all the outward signs of lack of water.....inexperienced growers immediately begin to water the shriveled limp plant more and more because everyone says its dehydrated, needs water. This is one reason I suggest new growers shy away from plastic pots when possible. They hold water much longer than clay. Just my little rant for the day. Hope it helps someone. Bill

I didn't read through all of these so I hope I am not repeating. As for Powdery Mildew, I place a small container of it in my plant trays and that takes care of any that I might get. I know your hubby doesn't like your plants but try to get a fan going, (not directly on the plants) when it gets very hot. I have extremes of temperatures-right now we are experiencing near blizzard snow and 9 degrees- and in the summer it is sometimes over 100 degrees. But, my plants are in the basement so the temps. stay fairly warm and level. Also, it is cooler at floor level so maybe you can set something up at that level. Good luck! Linda