Build The Ultimate Orchid Collection

[bmena]

Hello, I know a lot of people like phals but let’s face it. They are becoming as common as the weed growing epidendrum radicans.
I do agree with some of the comments above about the den. Speciosum very showy plant as long as you can follow the rules. Lost of water and fertilizer while growing and no fertilizer and water in wimter. And If you grow speciosum might as well grow den. Nibile type which require similar care. Specimens such as den hagoromo ‘fuji’ and bonanza ‘okayama’ are beautiful and put out lots of flowers, and depending where you live, you can grow them outdoors.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by bmena

Hello, I know a lot of people like phals but let’s face it. They are becoming as common as the weed growing epidendrum radicans.
I do agree with some of the comments above about the den. Speciosum very showy plant as long as you can follow the rules. Lost of water and fertilizer while growing and no fertilizer and water in wimter. And If you grow speciosum might as well grow den. Nibile type which require similar care. Specimens such as den hagoromo ‘fuji’ and bonanza ‘okayama’ are beautiful and put out lots of flowers, and depending where you live, you can grow them outdoors.

Den speciosum? At least in southern California the only special thing they need is space... I don't dry mine out particularly... just cut back on water since they don't dry out as fast in winter, but they get treated like everybody else and bloom like crazy (like right now) I do dry out nobile-type Dens somewhat, but never bone-dry (In nature they get dew even when there is no rain, not 10% humidity)

[Leafmite]

Wow, this is an old thread!

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Originally Posted by bmena

Hello, I know a lot of people like phals but let’s face it. They are becoming as common as the weed growing epidendrum radicans.

The problem with only wanting to collect the rare orchids is that many of the rare orchids soon become very common (i.e. Angraecums, Pleurothallidinae, Bulbophyllum). After so many years of collecting, I finally realized that, if I like the orchid, I do not really care how common it is. With that in mind, I will recommend a few orchids that fit the criteria and that I believe are essential for a collection:

Burr. Nelly Isler: 'Swiss Beauty' Easy to grow, blooms multiple times a year, fragrant, blooms last a long time The leaves are Oncidium-type leaves but don't have the issues with the spots.

Dendrobium prenticei: the 'foliage' is rather fun, they bloom throughout the year, the blooms last a while, some are fragrant, and they are very easy to grow. Best of all, they are small enough to fit in almost any collection. Very rewarding.

Dendrobium auriculatum: Almost always in bloom, very easy to grow, flowers are fragrant, the fern-like foliage is very attractive out of bloom and they are small enough that they fit easily into a collection (they are not miniatures but they are not large).

Most of my other 'easy-to grow' and highly treasured orchids require high humidity/terrarium so I won't list those.