... So *if* I had the bug... Good starter flower?

[Peithecelt]

Okay, so apparently vanilla is pretty easy going as far as it goes (at least based on my browsing of the level of detail for other orchids on here)...

So IF I had gotten the bug because of you people , what is a good flower family to start with for a total moron (well, okay, I'm not a moron, but this is a new experience for me lol). I'm inclined to find something at the local Lowes (they always carry some generic orchids there), just because Im not out much money if I kill it, but... I'm sure that there is a species (or 3 ) that would be good for a rank novice if they had a better "upbringing"...

I can offer rooms with amazing sun, filtered sun,and shade, so in terms of environmental needs, there is a lot of flexibility.. I'm just wondering what species would be easier to keep alive while learning..

(it's the pictures, I was really okay when I was just asking questions about vanilla, but the pictures really just pushed me over the edge dang you all ).

[kiki-do]

Hello! The local stores generally carry Dendrobiums and they are pretty hardy plants. Generally bloom twice a year. They need high light. They also carry phalaenopsis which need medium light. I think these are my favorites because their blooms last months.
Those are the ones I see most often in local stores around here. Sometimes they have young Cattleyeas but Catts need high light and take a long time to produce blooms as they are usually only near blooming size. It may well be different in NY area stores. Not here.
Phals are my all time favorites as they have beautiful blooms for a long time and are fairly easy to grow. Dends. also are easy to grow. Most stores carry the hardcane Dends. They grow like weeds in Hawaii. Perhaps someone else has some ideas.
I think you are totally smart to start with a less expensive orchid to try your hand at growing. We all have lost some from time to time.....then we start relying on OB to help us keep them alive!!!!!!

[caseydoll]

I agree with Kiki on all her suggestions. If I only had to pick one orchid to basically start out with I would say phalaenopsis. I have the best luck with them and a white phal from Home Depot was my first orchid. I still have it and love it dearly. The only thing you should be careful about when buying an orchid from Lowes or any kind of big box store, is too check the roots the best you can before buying. Try and pick one that you can see has some healthy green or white/ plump roots. Or you can play it safe and order from a good orchid vendor online. Lots of time you can get them just as cheap (if not cheaper) then Lowes or other similar stores. And tell us what you decide on!

[quiltergal]

I would also add reed stem Epidendrums to the list. They are pretty much bomb proof, bloom every year without fussing, and have a very showy bract of flowers. The whole bract is about the size of my fist.

[Peithecelt]

Thank you guys, I have to say that Quiltergirl's recommendation is tempting, particularly if the flower she included the pic of is one, those are STUNNING and.. I must admit that I like bombproof!

But thank you guys for your recommendations, gives me some good places to start.. And what to look for if I go for the cheap-o Lowes option!

(You guys will get so sick of me.. )

[caseydoll]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I would also add reed stem Epidendrums to the list. They are pretty much bomb proof, bloom every year without fussing, and have a very showy bract of flowers. The whole bract is about the size of my fist.

Oh no, another one to add to the list! It's so pretty!

[lily99]

I started with a paphiopedilum. Some of these slipper orchids have pretty mottled foliage so they look nice even when they are not in bloom. They like the same conditions as phalaenopsis and are easy (I think) to care for.

[foxtailskies]

I notice you're in the same region as me, just noting that I see lots of Phal's and Cattleya at our local Lowe's; I haven't seen too many Dend's but they come up occasionally. I've also seen a few lovely Paphiopedilums at my local Wegmans for about $30, I don't know if that's widespread or there's just an orchid nut in our floral department... I just got my first Paph recently so I can't personally tell you how easy they are to grow, but my research tells me they're good in the home. love love LOVE the flowers on them though!!! good luck!

[gerneveyn]

There's a garden center in Auburn, NY called Dickman Farms that I like a lot. When I was there last summer, they had some cymbidiums, phalaenopsis, and dendrobium.

[Peithecelt]

Originally Posted by foxtailskies

I notice you're in the same region as me, just noting that I see lots of Phal's and Cattleya at our local Lowe's; I haven't seen too many Dend's but they come up occasionally. I've also seen a few lovely Paphiopedilums at my local Wegmans for about $30, I don't know if that's widespread or there's just an orchid nut in our floral department... I just got my first Paph recently so I can't personally tell you how easy they are to grow, but my research tells me they're good in the home. love love LOVE the flowers on them though!!! good luck!

Based on your profile description ("future vet"), and where the vet schools are, it is even possible that I work at the same school you are attending (and if so, was in the research building over there this morning in fact! )...

And yeah, the local wegmans by me also has an orchid nut working in the floral department.. I figured I'd go see what they had as well as the local Lowes. I was just trying to figure out what breeds are seen as good starters, since the last thing I wanted to do was pick one up that was pretty, THEN find out it has 5 degree margin of error for temp and a 2 point margin of error for humidity, and was very picky about fertilization and water.. Ya' know? lol I want something that some mistakes might leave it in less than great shape, but not dead!