Orchids for a Hot Room

[Bulbopedilum]

[I was unsure where to put this, apologies if this is better put somewhere else]

There's one empty room in my house that gets enough sun to grow orchids, but doesn't get enough sun to grow any full-sun plants. It's pretty bright but not direct sun. However, this room gets really hot (A max 33°C from my measurements) because that's where the back end of the air conditioner is, both at daytime and at night time. I was wondering if there are any orchids that could deal with this hot room.

As the temperatures are affected by the air conditioner, it can get hotter than the daytime at night sometimes.

[Afid]

Maybe some Vandas or Bulbophyllums...

[ghuylar]

Try a Den phal, they're generally known as HOT growers although they tolerate and will grow in cooler temps.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by Afid

Maybe some Vandas or Bulbophyllums...

Ok, will Vanda helvola work? How about Vanda foetida (I can't seem to find the temps for this one...)?

Originally Posted by ghuylar

Try a Den phal, they're generally known as HOT growers although they tolerate and will grow in cooler temps.

A bit of very subjective opinion about this species. It's everywhere here, and I don't really like it, but I suppose any orchid is a good orchid

How about paphs? Are there any Paphiopedilums that can grow in these conditions?

[Ray]

Sounds ideal for many phalaenopsis.

[Afid]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Ok, will Vanda helvola work? How about Vanda foetida (I can't seem to find the temps for this one...)?

V. helvola probably would, and I expect V. foetida would too, but I can't find temperatures for it either.

[SaraJean]

Not sure what size you are looking for but there are a lot of Dens that positively thrive with hot temps if you have some decent humidity and can provide lots and lots of water. Off the top of my head the Den bullenianum (x usitae is a natural hybrid with is also lovely), Den bracteosum, and smillieae. Most of the Dens from section Spatulata will soak up those temps with high light but they can get enormous(antennatum, tangerinum, lasianthera, ect...). Most of the Latouria dens would also do well. The Latourias I grow can easily handle temps into the mid and upper 30’s°C.

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 PM ----------

Oh and you asked about Paphs. I’m definitely not an expert but I do have a few that grow outdoors in my hot climate. My maudiae types don’t mind high temps at all. They just chug along without a care. I have three multi florals (parishii, philippinense, and dianthum. EDIT* oops, forgot about my baby sanderianum) that are growing pretty well. The dianthum is the only one that’s bloomed but I think the two others are just getting to blooming size (not my sanderianum, still too young) so we will see... the only time I had problems with my multiflorals was when we had temps over 38°C. I had some cellular collapse on the leaves when that happened and I forgot to put them in a shadier spot.

I also have a Paph. fairrieanum and venustum. They both do ok with my temps (I’ve bloomed both), but they get cooler temps in the winter and I still wouldn’t say they enjoy the heat. More like barely tolerate while being heavily annoyed... But they do grow

[rbarata]

From your description, considering your climate is an humid one, I would consider something radical: vanilla growing around the room.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

I was wondering if there are any orchids that could deal with this hot room.

Could always (as a first point of call) try google.

Eg. google: 'warm-growing orchids', or 'hot growing orchids'.

Also take air-movement into consideration, as not enough air-movement can lead to some unwanted situations - eg. fungal/bacterial activity.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by Ray

Sounds ideal for many phalaenopsis.

Glad to hear that.

Originally Posted by SaraJean

Not sure what size you are looking for but there are a lot of Dens that positively thrive with hot temps if you have some decent humidity and can provide lots and lots of water. Off the top of my head the Den bullenianum (x usitae is a natural hybrid with is also lovely), Den bracteosum, and smillieae. Most of the Dens from section Spatulata will soak up those temps with high light but they can get enormous(antennatum, tangerinum, lasianthera, ect...). Most of the Latouria dens would also do well. The Latourias I grow can easily handle temps into the mid and upper 30’s°C.

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 PM ----------

Oh and you asked about Paphs. I’m definitely not an expert but I do have a few that grow outdoors in my hot climate. My maudiae types don’t mind high temps at all. They just chug along without a care. I have three multi florals (parishii, philippinense, and dianthum. EDIT* oops, forgot about my baby sanderianum) that are growing pretty well. The dianthum is the only one that’s bloomed but I think the two others are just getting to blooming size (not my sanderianum, still too young) so we will see... the only time I had problems with my multiflorals was when we had temps over 38°C. I had some cellular collapse on the leaves when that happened and I forgot to put them in a shadier spot.

I also have a Paph. fairrieanum and venustum. They both do ok with my temps (I’ve bloomed both), but they get cooler temps in the winter and I still wouldn’t say they enjoy the heat. More like barely tolerate while being heavily annoyed... But they do grow

Any size, really. So far I've been collecting the smaller orchids because of space limitations but I'm glad I can grow some larger ones like the Latouria-type Dendrobiums you mentioned (Dendrobium spectabile has been on my wishlist for a while.) or the long-caned Dendrobiums like Dendrobium smillieae.

Humidity and water aren't a problem to me, humidity's pretty high all year round. I haven't measured humidity myself but from data online the humidity drops to about 60% in the dry season. There's a tap in the room so watering won't be a hassle. I'm not sure if I have enough light for the Spatulata-type Dendrobiums (Although I think I do). I've seen them grown in full sun here.

As for the Paphiopedilums you mentioned, unfortunately I can't seem to find any of them here (Except P. sanderianum, but that one's quite expensive).

Also, what temps are you giving your Paph. fairrieanum? IOSPE says that it's a cool-grower and is found at elevations between 1300 to 2200 meters above sea level.

Originally Posted by rbarata

From your description, considering your climate is an humid one, I would consider something radical: vanilla growing around the room.

That's a nice idea, I'll consider it.

Thanks to everyone else! Wow, orchids turned out to be far from fragile...