anyone know any great beginner ochids?

[krystle]

my friend did have phal but she killed it with too much sun i tried to help out but it died anyways, me and her both live in colorado, i have done great with about anything i have got my hands on but thats me not her. i would say she kills with kindness, for the most part. i gave her a dendrobium kingianum and its the only thing that is still alive. thanks guys i have some really good ideas for her hopefully they work!

[Izzie]

Thought I'd add Krystle-
In CO, I've found Catts and Dens to be the most forgiving of our dry indoor/outdoor conditions. I'd grow most indoors, but there are a few Catts that can take it outside here.
My all time favorite hardy-never-say-die orchid is my Epidendrum ibaguense. They are allied with Cattleyas, so like to dry out.
Any of the Reed-stem epidendrums love it in CO, and are very tolerant of our extreme temperatures. I've seen them in King Soopers advertised as Phals. They look like this:
reedstem epidendrum - Google Search
Best care sheet for them that I've ever found: Reed-stem Epidendrum

[krystle]

oh ok that makes alot of sense i mostly myself have catts and and i have two dens and they have done great for me!! i am hoping my cattleya iricolor does well(newest addition)! its great you live here too, people think i am crazy cuz i grow orchids and they think what is this girl doing growing tropical plants when it gets below 0 lol.have you heard of fantasy orchid? if not check it out good place for orchids! oh and thanks for the info going to pass it to my friends she was feeling a little down about not being able to keep orchids!

[krystle]

just thought about that of course you know of fantasy orchid all serious orchid people here know of them!

[ardera]

Do you have the frequent buyer card with Fantasy? For every $30 you get a stamp, after 10 (I think) you get a free plant up to $40. I was just there yesterday, it's VERY easy for me to spend $60 at each visit, so I'll get my free plant in no time.

I usually get more comments, from the unenlightened about growing orchids here with our lack of humidity.

[krystle]

wow really i have spend alot and no one told me i will have to ask next time i am in. i spend alot too lol i am running out of room tho so i have cut back a little on buying plants!

[ardera]

It is something they started doing a couple months ago.

My windows are already full, an now I am eyeballing a bookshelf I have. The top shelf is tall enough that I have decided, when the time comes, I can get grow lights and start using the top shelf for even more babies!!!

[Izzie]

Why yes, I have indeed heard of them. Trip to Fantasy Orchids, CO

[tucker85]

If your friend tends to overwater she might want to try a mounted orchid or I use plastic net pots. It's almost impossible to overwater these. If she tends to neglet her plants nothing thrives on neglect like a Cattleya or Epidendrum.

[krystle]

well i might have to make a trip down there! and i know what you mean i am running out of room so fast! tucker85 thanks i will pass the info on!!