I think I am ready to Purchase

[rmack5]

oh now you are talking my language... I would like some that are long lasting... I really like large showy blooms, fragarant flowers are not that important. I would like to try some minis in some of my vivs.

[blackorchid]

A Standard size phalaenopsis is perfect for your choice and it's readily available in the big box stores especially Lowe's. Some novelty phalaenopsis is very tiny that it can fit in a vivarium making it a good candidate too, like this: Phal. I-Hsin Spot Eagle 'Montclair' IN SPIKE: Orchids By Hausermann. Generally, Phalaenopsis are long lasting and easy to grow and fit an Eastern window.
About big showy flower, nothing can beat a floofy catt. An example could be the big famous Blc. Chia Lin is recommended for color, substance, fragrance, neat growing habit and ease of culture: Flickr: Search. Needs very bright light though.
Oncidiums are good choices too. Sharry Baby (chocolate orchid), Sweet Sugar (yellow dancing lady orchid) are easy to grow and need medium light. (do not choose the Miltoniopsis!)
Maudiae Paphiopedilum is good because it's long lasting; the vinicolor and coloratum variation are showier than alba: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hp?photo=15480. These flower can have pretty decent size. Some delenatii crosses have showy flower on compact plants but last for only about a week or so.
I have this guy: http://www.orchidweb.com/detail.aspx?ID=1949
Easy to grow plant with big flower and long stalk and it looks very pretty with some burgundy color on the leaf.

[rmack5]

Thanks so much. That is so helpful. I am going to an orchid show next week. Will the vendors have the orchids labeled like listed above? Will they be eager to help me with beginner choices? Are there any orchids choices I should stay away from and will likely be at the show available from vendors?

[blackorchid]

Yes, they will help you pick an orchid. Miltoniopsis is a no-no for beginners. You will be fine to pick just about any spray Phalaenopsis. most floofy Catts are easy (usually begins with Blc. ...now changed to Rsc)
the typical Paph. Maudiae are easy. Some paph and onc. can be picky so be sure to ask them. I wish you good luck in choosing plants....or you could just go online and order the exact veriety that you wish. Have fun growing
Post a picture if you finally got one, the members here will help you to get the culture right if you don't know how they grow.

[rmack5]

What about this one Dendrobium Jenkinsii

[blackorchid]

That's Den. aggregatum; Den. jenkinsii is a mini version of that plant so you won't expect it to put on a spray of flower like that. It's more like IOSPE PHOTOS
Bloom for a short time in spring.
Needs a lot of water and sunlight during summer.
Need a dry and cool winter rest to flower well. (which means water enough to help the plant survice through winter... not growing... like once a month or so. No fertilizer)
I have Den. jenkinsii and it's very tiny. Mounted on a piece of wood that fit your palm. Very cute.

[justatypn]

Dend Jenkinsii is always a winner they do need a dry winter/rest, full sun (indoors~close to your artifical lighting). There blooms are gorgeous.

My Den. aggregatum is a yearly bloomer, easy to take care of I have mine in a wooden basket and a spread of blooms this past year not to shabby, but I do remember Sue (cb977) had taken a of one that was many years to mine and the bloom spread was phenomenal.

[bonsai1504]

i think that one requires alot of light. I'm not sure but i think that dends like medium-high light. at least for me they do.

[blackorchid]

Yeah it's very good for a vivarium because of its size (jenkinsii, not the aggregatum) but you need to keep them dry and cool in winter. The flower is short-live though... here's how tiny it is: Dendrobium jenkinsii on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[snow]

thanks blackorchid for an interesting thread.