good orchids for beginners?

[Annika]

I have 4 noid phalaenopsis (including one that is currently in a sphag & bag that I'm hoping will survive). All were given to me in the space of the last 6 months. Before then I had NO experience with orchids of any kind. After a TON of reading, here on the fabulous OB and in books, I feel comfortable taking care of them.

So here's my question: what to get next? My husband and daughter want to get me a belated Mother's Day orchid!

So what do you all think I should get? Should I stick with phals? Branch out? Remember, I'm a beginner! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[Chubidubi]

For me catts are fairly easy to take care of. They also have fabulous colors.

[Dorothy]

What are your growing conditions?
Indoors, orchidarium, outside, greenhouse?
What window will they get sun from if indoors? or what is your lighting?
How humid is your growing space?
What are the temperatures that they will be exposed to year round?

[Annika]

I see that you're in Puerto Rico; I'm in PA. I'm probably going to be growing exclusively indoors---what kind of light/temperature do catts need?

[Annika]

Dorothy---our posts crossed! I'm growing my phals indoors in my kitchen with northeast light. I know it's not what everyone recommends, but they are thriving there. But I also have a large spot under a window in another room with a southern exposure and direct sunlight for a short time each day. I don't know the humidity level indoors but we don't use air conditioning and the house has steam heat (radiators). Temps are usually 60-70 during the winter and maybe up to 80 during the summer.
Now what say you??

[kimstwin]

I would recommend Oncidium Sharry Baby. I too, started with Phals. My Sharry Baby is one of the few survivors of my first year of orchid addiction(my phals were not). It is also my most consistent bloomer, has a great fragrance, and is tolerant of my ministrations. Mine is in similiar conditions as you describe, but it will appreciate more light than the phals. I think it's a great plant for the beginner or more experinced grower. I like it so much I just rescued another one about two months ago from Lowe's.

[Dorothy]

Sounds like the conditions for your phal is just fine ..
Your area with southern exposure sounds great for cattleya - as the love lots of light (even direct light when slowly adapted to it)
One of the most fragrant and easy growers is Iwanagara Apple Blossom - which is a hybrid of Dialaelia Snowflake x Blc.Orange Nugget - they come in yellow and cream colors and they are a medium to large sized cattleya.
Here is a thread on the Apple Blossom and links in this thread to other threads of this Iwanagara - Iwanagaara Apple Blossom
and for the yellow version - IWAN Apple Blossom "Little Elf"
Oncidium Sharry Baby is another good choice as Kim suggested - they are chocolate (some say with hints of vanilla) scented
Are you looking for large or small growing orchids?

[(..._...)]

Yes, I suggest Sharry Baby too-- it likes to dry out a bit, so you don't have to worry about rotting the roots. I just checked mine, and it has lots of new root growth!!!

[Annika]

Thanks for these great suggestions. I will start scouting for them!

[Kristen616]

I pretty much asked the same question a few weeks ago and took everyones advice and got myself a sharry baby from Oak Hill Gardens! So far so good! I've only had it for about a week now but it's got a great spike and it super healthy looking. I love it already!!

Here's the link to the one I got from oak Hill:

Oak Hill Gardens