Complete beginner looking for recomendations

[tokyo]

Ok, that was annoying. I tried to preview my post and my entire message was erased. Oh well, hopefully I can remember it all.

I am a complete beginner to the orchid world. Until now I have been completely obsessed with my fish and aquariums, but an aquaponics project I'm working on has made me realize that there is alot more to the picture than just what goes on underwater.

So I am planning on setting up a paludarium and would like an orchid as the center piece. I would love some suggestions on what species I should go with.

The tank is going to be atleast 12" wide x 18" deep x 30" tall and no more that 12" wide x 21" deep x 48" tall. So it needs to be able to fit within these dimensions.

I would like someting that will grow on the wall or a piece of wood if at all possible.

It should be good in humid tropical conditions.

Also, no hybrids please. Just a "pet peeve" of mine.

Something from South America would be great.

Thanks!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Cattleya intermedia

Laelia alaorii

Maxillaria brunnea
Max coccinea
Max picta
Max pseudoreichenbachiana
Max reichenbachiana
Max schunkeana
Max sophronitis
Max tenuifolia
Max variabilis

Pleurothallis adeleae
Plths hemirrhoda
Plths martheae (may get fairly large)
Plths restrepioides (may get fairly large) - most forgiving species in the genus Plths
Plths ruberrima
Plths ruscifolia

Restrepia muscifera - in my opinion the sturdiest of the Restrepias

Zygopetalum intermedia
Zyg triste

If you want a terrestrial:

Cyclopogon spp.

Sarcoglottis spp.

[Izzie]

Cat. intermedia is a great beginner species.

Above all, if you're sure you want a species, start with a good "beginners" one, instead of wasting your money on one that would be super awesome, sure, but not as forgiving of mistakes.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

A word of caution...

Not all Cattleya species grow the same way and therefore not all will be "easy to grow".

If you're thinking about a Cattleya species ask first. Buying the wrong Cattleya species for your setup can be costly and heartbreaking.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

A word of caution...

Not all Cattleya species grow the same way and therefore not all will be "easy to grow".

If you're thinking about a Cattleya species ask first. Buying the wrong Cattleya species for your setup can be costly and heartbreaking.

Precisely what I mean.

[tokyo]

Thanks for the help!

I'll start looking into what I want to use.