need help shopping

[Poppyseed]

So I just recently moved from Ohio To Denver, Colorado. I'm curious to know what the best types of orchids for growing are out here. Ohio was very humid and muggy, and my Phals did very well out there. I'm not sure they're liking the dry climates of Denver so far. Any input anyone might have for future purchases would be much appreciated. And, if anyone in the area knows of good orchid dealers, that would help out as well!

[Poppyseed]

c'mon, anyone?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oeceoclades?

These are geophytes. They like to be watered quite a bit. Most are from Madagascar, but a few are from mainland Africa. One species is pan-tropical (Oeceoclades maculata).

I have an Oeceoclades calcarata. I grow it in diatomite. Very easy to grow. They like very bright light, and grow intermediate to warm.

They're very easy to grow.

In fact, Oeceoclades sanderiana is being sold at Oak Hills Gardens for a reasonable price. Andy's Orchids has some Oeceoclades sanderiana for sale as well.

Why not try something unusual?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

How about Bletilla striata.

This is a terrestrial.

Very easy to grow and humidity shouldn't be an issue.

This is temperature tolerant, it's somewhat frost hardy as well.

Grow in potting soil, and in bright indirect light.

Disas and Stenoglottis don't require high humidity as well. These two genus of orchids are from South Africa. They're geophytes. Many grow on moss covered rocky or sandy areas near a lot of water. They like it cooler than the normal run of the mill tropical orchids (potting them in terra cotta pots helps keep their roots cool, which is more important than keeping the leaves cool). These aren't frost hardy however. Good air circulation is a plus for them, and they like bright indirect light. Water them copiously and you should be fine (I water mine everyday, sometimes twice a day). The media should be loose and free draining, (I grow mine in SuperSphag and perlite or pumice). Do not sit in water. They have underground root tubers, so don't break the roots. Overall they're not as difficult to grow as they're reputed to be. Wally Orchard from Afrodisa sells both Disas and Stenoglottis. Camp One Orchids also sells Disas. Andy's Orchids sells Stenoglottis as well.

Here are some Disa species to try out:

Disa tripetaloides (white with pink spots)
Disa aurata (yellow with burgundy spots)
Disa uniflora (comes in red, orange, pink, yellow, and peach, or a combo of these)
Disa cardinalis (red)
Disa racemosa (magenta)
any Disa hybrid

High altitude Masdevallias from 2100 m to 2500 m don't need high humidity.

Cattleyas.

Cymbidiums.

Australian Dendrobiums maybe.

[Poppyseed]

Well thank you, King

I just checked a few of those out, and I really like the looks of Bletilla striata, Disa uniflora, Disa racemosa...

I haven't really checked out the Cattleyas or Cymbidiums...

I'm thinking that since I do have so many freaking Phals, I kinda wanna stray off with something more "unusual". I just hope that I can handle it!

[Beverly]

I ended up getting humiderfiers for the rooms I have orchids in. I live in Ct. and most of my orchids are doing great inside the house.
I have been growing Phals for years inside and my house can be dry at times with the heat on.
Beverly

[Poppyseed]

I remember getting a nice Cattleya in the nursery before I left. It had such a sweet fragrance that filled the whole greenhouse, one of the only orchids I've come across with such fragrance...

I might keep that in mind as well...

Any in particular that might spark my interest?

I do like big, bright flashy colors, and definitely a plus if it has a strong fragrance....

[Poppyseed]

I thought about picking up some humidifiers, Beverly, I'm getting ready to move into my new apartment on the first, so I thought while I'm picking out all of my new furniture, I could grab one as well

I do have a nice little patio though, so I definitely want something I can sit outside during the warmer months....

Ah, I have a feeling I'm going to be bringing in a lot of orchids in the near future....

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

C. aurea
C. gaskelliana
C. maxima
C. mendelii
C. quadricolor
C. warneri
C. warscewiczii

I forgot to mention.

Disa racemosa is hard to find.

Disa uniflora is very abundant.

When purchasing Disas get at least two pots of plants just in case. They may be somewhat unpredictable, but they're very prolific. By the end of a year you could potentially end up with over ten pots.

I have a Disa tripetaloides and only started with two plants that I put together in one pot. Now I have three pots of Disa tripetaloides. And I've only had it for three months. More are along the way.

[Poppyseed]

King, do you get blooms very often with those?