SUN 🌞 Lovers orchids? Need recommendations

[SADE2020]

Hi guys!

I need, well, I want a set (3-4 options) of very "spring + summer" sun lovers orchids that could produce stunning flowers.

They will need to be in the range of warm to cold o viceversa since I have a midwinter weather and a very warm summer.

BIG THANKS 💞 in advance!

[Roberta]

How about Sobralias? Particularly S. macrantha or any of its hybrids. If they get lots of sun they don't grow too tall, the foliage is rather attractive (sort of like bamboo) and they are fine with winter temperatures near freezing. Flowers only last a few days, but they keep producing new ones from the same growths, so a well-established plant is in bloom for nearly two months during the summer.

[estación seca]

There is also the bamboo orchid Arundina graminifolia. I don't think it would become invasive in a Mediterranean climate, since it needs summer water.

Neobenthamia gracilis according to IOSPE grows in the tropics at 380-2000 meters so should take your winters without problems. Stephen (isurus79) grows it outdoors in Texas so it takes heat and sun.

And you might be able to grow Cymbidiums in the ground.

[Roberta]

Getting Arundina graminifolia to be happy through winter could be a challenge. I have tried and failed... though my outdoor-growing friend down the coast has managed to get one of those little cuttings from Honolulu airport to turn into a beautiful patio plant.

Neobenthamia gracilis is a good one! And fragrant.

cyms in the ground depends on the ground... needs to be well drained, so works with sandy soils. I know that I can't.. my soil is better for building houses than growing things, heavy clay. So they grow outside with no problem at all, but need pots to handle the drainage issue. However, Cyms don't answer the need of summer blooming, though... wonderful to brighten up the winter and early spring.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I know nothing about cold so please cross regency anything i say with cold care

Terete vandas. Papilonanthe. Semi terete vandas. X2 on neo gracilis. I growing in full sun. Arachnis Maggie oei. Renanthera red dragon. Dendrobium speciosum. Den gatton sunray.

That’s all I can think of that I grow in full sun. Oh and the cyms. Golden elf is in full sun and so is max tenefulia

[camille1585]

Max tenuifolia might fit the bill, if you don't already have one. They love full sun providing you water the heck out of them.

[isurus79]

There are many Cyrtopodiums that fit this description.

You're pretty far north, so I bet Laelia anceps, Cattleya purpurata, and Cattleya intermedia would also work.

[Roberta]

L anceps certainly would work but mostly late fall/winter bloomers. C (L) purpurata should work well and gorgeous flowers... and if acclimated are fine through winter to near freezing temperatures. (They do fine outside all year for me) C intermedia also a great idea. (Also very cold-tolerant) I have been pleasantly surprised by C. labiata - I had always thought of it as needing warmth, was assured by Steve Champlain (Florlia) that they can tolerate cold and experience it in habitat... and they do well for me outside too (a bit of overhead protection but ambient temperatures)

[estación seca]

How many days does the temperature go over 40C? What is the humidity then? During that time how cool are the nights? Is there steady wind on hot days or is the air still?

[Roberta]

Phal. Little One ... don't be fooled by the genus "Phalaenopsis" ... it is a primary hybrid of Hygrochilus parishii (now Phal. hygrochila) and Sedirea japonica (now Phal. japonica) Both parents are very cold-tolerant and reclassifying them "Phalaenopsis" doesn't change their actual culture. The hybrid is easier to grow than the parents (and both are pretty easy too), can bloom twice a year, and is fragrant. And a fairly small plant. So it looks like a Vanda, named Phalaenosis, and grows very nicely on my patio with chilly winter nights and summer heat. But it will need a bit of shading against the summer noonday sun so might not fill the need.