anyone know any great beginner ochids?

[krystle]

ok guys need your thoughts my friend wants to grow orchids but is having issues with them,and has killed some on accident. anyone know any good beginner orchids other then dendrobium kingianum?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If your friend has a large enough growing area...

Laelia superbiens
Laelia anceps
Laelia tenebrosa
Laelia purpurata (whatever variant your friend like)

If your friend is very good at growing plants such as Bearded Irises, then:

Bletilla striata
Bletilla ochracea

If your friend likes Dendrobiums, then:

Dendrobium biggibum (var whatever your friend likes)
Dendrobium loddigesii

[krystle]

thanks i will have to pass on the info but she isnt really good a growing plants lol so it has to be hardy!

[RosieC]

A lot of people start with Phals, but they are not necessarily the easiest.

I find Dendrobium Phalaenopsis types pretty easy in my enviroment and they are also easily available here. It can be difficult to know what's easiest because it can depend a lot where in the world your friend is. Ones that are easy in one place might not be so easy somewhere else.

[drone]

If your place is warm, try bamboo orchids. Grows in well drained soil/full sun like other plants. Easiest orchid I've ever grown. Grows fast too.

[Paul Mc]

I have never heard of bamboo orchids. What are they?

[Ray]

There really is no set answer to that. Point your friend to this: Beginners Advice for Growing Orchids

[drone]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I have never heard of bamboo orchids. What are they?

Arundina graminifolia
bamboo orchids - Google Search

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you're friend has a large space, and access to bright indirect light, and intermediate to warm temperatures, a terrestrial or lithophytic group of orchids belonging to the genus Oeceoclades is a great starting point.

Oeceoclades maculata is readily available and should be the easiest Oeceoclades to grow and obtain.

The much rarer Oeceoclades calcarata is another easy one. I've had Oeceoclades calcarata for 3 or 4 yrs. It grows much like a succulent. Not too wet, not too dry. It's a great semi-arid desert plant. Be warned that it is gigantic! With spike it is said to reach 9 ft tall. Each pseudobulb is a little larger than a softball. The leaves can get to be about a foot long.


Another semi-arid desert beginner's plant that is a terrestrial, is Eulophia petersii.


I'm recommending the hardier terrestrial orchids because people might be more familiar with them as they might be more familiar with growing other terrestrial plants.

There are certainly terrestrial orchids that are not for beginners though, so watch out!

[Hedge]

Does your friend kill plants with kindness or neglect - if the latter, try epiphytic cacti instead!! They have large orchid like flowers and thrive on being forgotten in the winter, at temps around 50 degrees