Best Orchids for Central Texas

[jdan]

Hello All,

I am new to orchids and doing a lot of research. I have found some good resources, but they're from multiple different places that don't have the same climate I do. I am wondering if anyone can help me with which orchids would be best for central Texas. We can get temperatures as low as 30s and as high as 110+, so I'd have to grow them mostly indoors I'm guessing. Our humidity on average is between 50-70%.

Does it make a difference as far as type if they're mostly going to be grown inside? Are there any that could do well outside? I have heard that Cattleyas and Vandas like the heat.

Any input would be appreciated.

[alecStewart1]

There's a few options.

• Dendrobium moniliforme
• Dendrobium kingianum
• Neofinetia falcata
• Sedirea/Phalaenopsis japonica
• Vanda vietnamica

The first four are pretty tough plants, Dendrobium moniliforme being a lot more cold tolerant than all of them. They don't like the cold, though, and you'll probably want to bring them in once it gets under 50 degrees Fahrenheit regularly, but a little bit of exposure to cooler temps helps with blooming.

The last is one is tough, too, but you'll definitely have to bring inside when it gets under 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably in a bathroom or kitchen where there's some humidity. You can also put it in a glass vase, as that's a nice way of growing them indoors.

For the first 3-4, just get an inexpensive cultivar or "regular" form and get one plant. Trust me, if you delve deep enough, you'll end up with more plants than you think.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

It really does depend on whether you want to grow inside all year, or outside part of the year. If you grow inside, your home temperatures through the year matter more than the temperature outside.

Have a look at posts by member RJSquirrell. He lives in metro Houston. It's more humid than where you are, but temperatures are similar.

[Louis_W]

Ill throw Cattleya purpurata and Laelia anceps in there as well

If you can offer just a little protection to keep the plants in the 40°s during winter nights you should be able to grow a lot of the cattleya genus. My temp range is about 45-110 through the year with low humidity so I focus on bifoliate cattleya