What plants for a small (8-12) collection for 4 season blooming

[GenevaDad]

I'm stumped; I currently have 3 Phal's (spikes) 1 Phal. bastianii seedling, 3 small Catt rescues that I'm learning the fine art of sphag and bag. Needless to say I have a rather motley band of orchids.

I have good East and South facing windows for light and live near Chicago.

Can you guys give me some suggestions for a 8-12 plant collection that could give me blooms close to 12 months a year.

[professor plant]

bulbophyllums for summer
Check out Oak Hill, in East Dundee, for perhaps
B. Fascinator
B. wightii
B. frostii
each are under $20

Dendrobiums for Fall
I love D. victoria reginea (deep dark purple flowers)
check Natt's orchids in Naperville
also under $20

perhaps Masdevallia's for Winter
actually, mostly year round bloomers when happy
Also D. unicum blooms in winter (orange)
Also check Natt's

Paph's for Spring
so many to choose from
P. venustum is great and easy to bloom
check Hausermann's in Villa Park, about $25
Tom, from Fox Valley Orchids, has had a section of his own there. His plants are usually more expensive and usually worth it, if you want a particular color variation, alba, ect. He is very knowledgable and can lead you into a pricey pick if you would like.

I also grow Harealla retrocalla, which can bloom all year. All of these locations will have it. $10-$18

I am also from Chicago and have luck growing all of the above mentioned. There are a lot of options for each season. Oak Hill has plants tagged to indicate its growing needs and the season of bloom. I hope that you check them out if you have not.

Happy growing
Chad

[Bud]

Chad, that is a very sound advice. I myself have one or two orchids to buy based on your suggestions. Thank You !

[Gage]

Summer can be a lull for blooms, Encyclia tampensis blooms June-July.

[GenevaDad]

Thanks, I guess that's when I do my perennial gardening.

[Vanda lover]

I have a couple of Reed stemmed epidendrums that bloom for months. Some vandas bloom spring, summer and again in the winter. Pachong blue will.

[Leafmite]

Vanda coerulescens blooms in February, when not much else does. Cattleyas that blooms twice give blooms summer and winter. Many phal-type dendrobiums bloom three times a year for almost three months each time. Many encyclias bloom in the spring.
Leafmite

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Any Masdevallia spp. and allied genera that grow below 2,200 m.

Many Pleurothallis spp. and allied genera.

Many Dryadella spp.

Many Porroglossum spp.

Many Dracula spp. that grow below 2,200 m.

Many Stelis spp.

Many Platystele spp.

Many Barbosella spp.

Many Scaphosepalum spp.

Many Trichosalpinx spp.

Many Restrepia spp.

Some Octomeria spp.

Some Myoxanthus spp.

If you're experienced enough - many Trisetella spp, Lepanthes spp., or Lepanthopsis spp.

Many of them bloom year round. The trade off is that many are small flowered.

[pedidiva]

Thanks for all the helpful inf


Pedi

[GenevaDad]

Who said orchid lovers aren't fun loving, generous, helpful, wonderful, smart, willing to help at a moments notice people.