Office orchid

[dinhthanh]

I recently moved desks to one with a little more light (I am under a skylight before it was no natural light and only good for spider plants).
Any ideas what orchids would be happy here?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Certainly Phalaenopsis, Ludisia discolor, and Paphiopedilum.

I'm lucky enough to have under-cabinet fluorescent lights in my office (cubicle) and have swapped out the standard bulb for a 6500k daylight bulb. No natural light. I now have a Cattleya, Dendrobium kingianum, Phalaenopsis Elegant Deborah, and soon will have a Restrepia brachypus in that space.

[PaphMadMan]

Same list, consider other jewels if Ludisia thrives and you can boost humidity, limit Paphs to Maudiae-types to start. There are more of course, but for readily available, inexpensive, limited light, office durability those are a good start.

[AmyN]

Yesterday evening I saw a video on youtube about Masdevallia orchids...
At a certain pont the guy says "perfect for office environment!"



Here is the video:

[Fairorchids]

Most Masdevallias are cloud forest plants = cool growing with very high humidity and fairly bright, but diffused light. They do not like to dry out.

You would need to set up a terrarium to provide those conditions.

[OhioBob]

I have a gongora at my desk. It sits on the top of my cube. They can get quite large so that is a downside. Mine at work is currently working on the second flowering stalk of the fall.

[AmyN]

Originally Posted by OhioBob

I have a gongora at my desk. It sits on the top of my cube. They can get quite large so that is a downside. Mine at work is currently working on the second flowering stalk of the fall.

I'm super curious about it!
Could you show us a picture?

[Optimist]

Paphs are awesome and more unusual than phals. The ones with the spotted leaves require lower light than the ones with plain green leaves. Now-- I am thinking --- what about psychopsis. It likes near paph light, and has beautiful speckled leaves and also has a huge spike that can bloom sequentially for 15 years or so. It is the Butterfly or Samurai orchid. Very unusual and imposing. You could do a whole theme around it. I like the orange form-- the Mendenhall type with the speckled leaves. Warning though, the spike is huge. It is very tall. 4 to 6 feet. And although it is a sequential bloomer, it has only one flower at a time. That may seem odd. Check it out though it is a wonderful and interesting plant.

[OhioBob]

Amy, here is a picture of the gongorra at my cube. I am about 10ft from a window with very early sun if it isn't cloudy and the only other light are the office fluourescents.
I brought it to work with only 3 pbulb and it is now up to 6. Not even a quarter the size I have at home.

[Dandrobium]

I (fortunately) have a south facing window that only needs a shade cloth in summer. I used 1/2" electrical conduit bent accommodate different distances to the window. It works quite well, however plants have a tendency to dry out in a couple days and it is difficult to maintain 50% humidity (using ultrasonic humidifier) unless its a cloudy day.

Those orchid types listed should work well for typical office environment. Think about adding humidity as well (water in pebble tray). A humidifier would be ideal if you can get away with it