Flourishing any Orchid in your own space?

[HiOrcDen]

So I am thinking there are progressive measures to be able to grow any kind of orchid you like, especially in an area with a relatively accommodating climate like mine, coastal SoCal. In fact maybe anywhere with a proper setup.

So simply bringing in plants when necessary might work okay, but the plants will not thrive as much, correct? So then you add lights (perhaps near windows), temperature and humidity control, which will give you better results.

I don’t know if people already do what I am about to describe, or perhaps something more effective. I wonder if this could be an ideal setup for keeping any orchid you like. One could have a greenhouse with four sections, plus maybe small compartments for tricky rare species, like Ghost Orchids. One of the four is for cool temps and high humidity, another for warm temps and hi humidity, one for warm temps and moderate humidity, and finally one for cooler temperatures and moderate humidity. ( Is my impression correct that all orchids like at least moderate humidity?) So you would of course be moving plants in and out depending on the weather.

So I don’t know if the following is outlandish. I have been researching, and for a few hundred or so dollars I could create a similar four sets of small portable greenhouses, not walk-in, with dimensions a couple few feet, each with inexpensive temp and humidity control. And if for example I really really wanted to keep something like a Ghost Orchid, or a couple few similarly finicky subspecies, could I not have a smaller dedicated ‘greenhouse’ just for its ideal conditions? Will these ideas work for the maximum thriving possible in my own area’s climate? Are there any better or additional methods you all might suggest? (Of course I would use various shade cloths when necessary as well)

[Ray]

The mini-greenhouses, if done more formally, can be known as "Wardian Cases", and that certainly can be done. Some people just use fish tanks for enclosures, while others have purchased wine chillers or florists' cooler cabinets, outfitted them with lighting and controls.

However, to me, you seem to be going about this a bit backwards. Instead of finding ways to properly grow plants "you like", I suggest you carefully analyze the conditions you can easily provide, and find plants that "like" those conditions.

Once you've mastered growing those, then look to expand your range.

Roberta is a good example - the majority of her collection are plant that do well in her outdoor environment, and she grows some great stuff spectacularly well.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Ray

The mini-greenhouses, if done more formally, can be known as "Wardian Cases", and that certainly can be done. Some people just use fish tanks for enclosures, while others have purchased wine chillers or florists' cooler cabinets, outfitted them with lighting and controls.

However, to me, you seem to be going about this a bit backwards. Instead of finding ways to properly grow plants "you like", I suggest you carefully analyze the conditions you can easily provide, and find plants that "like" those conditions.

Once you've mastered growing those, then look to expand your range.

Roberta is a good example - the majority of her collection are plant that do well in her outdoor environment, and she grows some great stuff spectacularly well.

Bingo.

[estación seca]

I would say that too. Learn how to grow orchids that are easy in your circumstances before trying ones that need a lot of equipment. There are vast numbers of orchids easy for you to grow.

[Roberta]

To add to what others have said... growing the easier ones will give you insights as to what the more difficult ones need. It's a progression. And no matter how much you research, there will be fatalities. Learn from the failures as well as the successes (or maybe even more form the failures) I have killed plenty... if I fail twice, I likely won't try again unless I think that I can identify what I did wrong and can rectify it. Three and I give up, there are plenty of other orchids that can adapt to the conditions that I give them. But it's not something that you can master by reading alone. No matter what you do, your conditions are going to be a compromise between what the plant needs and what you can provide. Some factors are easier to control than others, and within limits orchids are quite good at adapting. When the compromise meets what is necessary (as opposed to what is ideal) your chances of success are pretty good. But part of the learning process is figuring out what is "necessary" and what is "would be nice". If you can manage it, there is no better "school" than visiting orchids in the wild. For a start, let me recommend Ecuador. Many micro climates, incredible biodiversity. You will gain insights from seeing and feeling the environments that you will never get through reading alone.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ray

However, to me, you seem to be going about this a bit backwards. Instead of finding ways to properly grow plants "you like", I suggest you carefully analyze the conditions you can easily provide, and find plants that "like" those conditions.

Once you've mastered growing those, then look to expand your range.

This is exactly what I was thinking too

[PlumCrazy]

Check out the Terrarium Gardening section. Some people on there have some pretty large setups. I only had a few orchids before I built mine. 2 years in and it is finally really thriving. I pretty much always have something in bloom. That being said, it's been a lot... I have timed lights, a humidistat that controls fans and a fogger, and a misting system that waters daily. And waaaaay too many orchids. But in the end, my current successes go back to the same thing everyone is saying - find plants that grow in your conditions. I just have different conditions than most people...

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[Leafmite]

Professional greenhouses often do exactly what you describe...certain sections (or greenhouses) for different plants. I have seen this with orchids in some of the tours given during our Zoom Orchid Meeting talks.