Help Me Pick An Orchid! - Orchid Board

Subrosa · #1 12-27-2014, 11:01 AM

I'm looking to get an orchid to fit a certain set of criteria and would like some more experienced help in selecting one that fills the bill. Criteria in order of importance:

1. Must be able to at least winter over in a nw facing window with no supplemental light. Room temp will vary from low 60s to low 70s. Humidity as low as 40%, normally 50%. Plant can go outside seasonally.
2. Long bloom time, preferably with winter blooming.
3. Fragrance, and by that I mean a powerful yet pleasant one!
4. I prefer a plant with a growth habit which lends itself to growing in a hanging basket.

Ok that's it, am I asking too much?

PaphMadMan · #2 12-27-2014, 12:02 PM

Hybrid Phalaenopsis from species like amboinensis, lueddemanniana, violacea, gigantea. These are fragrant, tend to be ever-blooming on mature plants, often with pendant spikes that should show off well in hanging baskets. The light should be sufficient, especially if they get a boost from summer outdoors. Those temps are on the cool side, but healthy plants should tolerate them without too much set-back.

Fairorchids · #3 01-01-2015, 11:19 AM

I think that you are asking for too much. If you ignore #4, you could try Paph malipoense.

Jade · #4 01-01-2015, 11:47 AM

Everything seems to describe a stanhopea, but point 2. Stanhopea is amazing, has a very intense scent (every stanhopea but s. connata, this one stinks), can be grown in an hanging basket, and wants a moderate light (like phals).
You can try also tuberolabium kotoense. It flowers in winter, can be grown in hanging baskets or cork slabs, it is perfumed, but wants a very warm to hot conditions.
Another one is lepanthes telipogonifora, it is a mini, but can easily grow in a north window and can be grown in hanging baskets (cork slabs is better). It flowers in spring, but it has no scent.

Subrosa · #5 01-01-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

I think that you are asking for too much. If you ignore #4, you could try Paph malipoense.

I could live with that. Anything special in regards to care I should know about?

Fairorchids · #6 01-01-2015, 10:43 PM

Brachys grow best in granular mix. If you have a tendency to water too frequently, use coarse mix. If you have a tendency to water too infrequently, use a fine mix. It should not soak, but it should not be allowed to go fully dry between waterings.

It has been known to drive growers nuts, as the spike gets quite tall, but bud takes forever to open.