Toronto - Suitable orchids

[BlueRoom]

Hi there,

I reside in Toronto, condo living.

Reaching out for advice on suitable orchids to grow,.

Phals - love Species. Pls recommend
Paphs - Tried and failed miserably
Other orchids - Pls recommend

Thanks for your help in starting my growing season - Spring is here!

[Leafmite]

Phal bellina--nicely fragrant in the morning. It likes warm conditions.
Phaius--said to be the easiest orchid to grow. It is large but a great replacement for a peace lily (prettier in my opinion).

What light and temperatures do you have? Are you willing to get artificial lighting?

[estación seca]

It's more a matter of your growing conditions. What are your day/night temperatures in winter and summer? Humidity? Natural light only, or will you use electric lighting?

[BlueRoom]

Thank you for your initial replies.

Growing conditions
Temp: Set at 23 degrees Celsius
Light: Southwest windowsill growing + small LED grow light
Humidity: Dry (with heater in winter and air-con in summer)

Toronto (like New York) summers are comfortable; the winters are freezing, dry, and windy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -8 °C to 25 °C and is rarely below -17 °C or above 30 °C.

[estación seca]

You could probably do well with smaller growing Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Neofinetia and hybrid Oncidium. These are mostly easier to grow than some other genera. There are mini Phals, mini Cattleyas and some Oncidium hybrids are small. Read descriptions or you might wind up with a monster like Onc. Sharry Baby or Miltassia Shelob.

Phals don't need any direct sun. The other genera will like it in that window. During sunny summer days consider a fan on the plants to keep leaf temperatures lower when the sun shines on them.

A himidifier on the plants would also help. Evaporative trays under the plants don't actually raise humidity enough to matter.

Don't get mounted plants at first. They are extremely difficult to water enough on a windowsill in dry air.