Best Species Orchids

[Kevinator]

Hey guys. Kevin here. Next week, I'll be making a visit to Andy's Orchids, a vendor renowned for their rare species plants. What are you're guys' favorites and should there be any notable ones I should get while there? Preferences include low to medium or really high light (I have nothing in between unless I get 30% shade cloth) and no orchids that can't stand temperatures around 80 degrees. My humidity is also a tad bit low, around 40-50%.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Depends on what notable means to you…

Andy's has a lot of orchids packed in each greenhouse, it's hard to recommend something without really knowing what your tastes are. Knowing what your growing conditions are is only half of the equation, the other half is what you're into or which genus of orchid might pique your interest.

I'm most likely going to make a trip down there during the open house in early December, just so I can get out of the house and be around a bunch of orchids and just meet other orchid peeps.

[calvin_orchidL]

Agree with Phil - Andy's is a wonderland filled with rare and wonderful things you won't see anywhere else. However, if you don't have at least something in mind, you will end up getting lost amongst the plants! What genera have you grown in the past with success?

[Leafmite]

Use the power search feature on the website to get an idea of what you might like that fits your conditions.
I usually go to his website with a few that I know I want but to make the shipping costs worth it, I need to add a few extra. I use the power search to find orchids that are perfect for me. What is really nice is that the website lists care and conditions that the orchids need. So, I end up with orchids that are easy to grow in my conditions and that I really like. Andy's just makes it far too easy to find perfect orchids.

[AnonYMouse]

Andy has a new video up (new to me, don't know when it was uploaded). It's a tour of his shade/cool/hot houses. Watch the vid, figure out which house is nearest your environment and pick a plant or 5.

[Fairorchids]

Are you looking for a rarity amongst the genera you already grow, or something totally new to you?

The latter is probably a very large group. Are there any things that have piqued your interest in the past?

Example: I have about 10 varieties of Neofinetia falcata. When I found out about N. richardsianum, I went to somewhat extreme efforts to get it (handcarried by vendor from China to Paph Forum in DC).

[Kevinator]

Ok to clarify subjects: I'm into really anything but orchids with unnoticeable flowers or flowers that look like leaves flowers eg. the megaclinium bulbos. This doesn't necessarily mean that the flowers are small (i may be iterested in some of the warmer growing pleurothallids). I already have Masdevallia floribunda, Bulbo. lobbi (?), and Arengis punctata in mind and possibly Sediria japonica. I would like to vary my selection as much as possible without varying the growing conditions. So in general, low light tolerant species. The problem with the search engine is that only 3/4 of the orchids that he has are sold online. Andy himself told me this after asking him about Dracula vampira (btw that is NOT and orchid I will buy). Hopefully this will clear some things up.

[Leafmite]

Sievekingia fimbriata? Haraella rectrocalla/odorata? I have both and they are recommended for bright shade and are very easy to grow. I think these are the only ones I bought from him that like shade and have flowers you can see from a foot away.
When you go, just tell him your conditions and requirements and let him recommend orchids.

[tropterrarium]

Andy's can be overwhelming. I think you can approach it two ways:

- Either go there with no specific idea, and let yourself be inspired by what you see. Have a chat with Andy and/or Katrin. My first visit to Andy's was like that, and I left with a grand less in my account.

- Figure out precisely what you want. Genus/Section, exact growing conditions (temp AND light AND humidity AND watering), precise ideas on features (size/shape/color of leaves/flowers, overall habit), and look for that in particular. Then chat with Andy re any fitting all those parameters that do NOT appear on the website. Get a few books, such as Flora's Encyclopedia, or Compendium of Miniature Orchids, and narrow down your search by learning more about the extant variability within orchids.

My personal preference is to get some species that are rarely if ever seen in shows or at club meetings. I also think that a focussed, specialized collection is much more interesting than the same 10 or 100 favorites. That way you can also limit your expenses, because there are few of those odd-ball ones you can purchase. I focus on Oberonia and Notylia, both completely underrepresented. Most likely not your cup of tea, as they both have minute flowers. But there are another 600-800 genera to consider.

[Kevinator]

Thanks for the info guys! If you guys have any more feel free to share. Haraella is definitely on my list. I may actually consider Oberoia and Notylia. Both seem like great mounted orchids and remind me of Dendrochilum. Any other suggestions?