Beginner Orchids please!

[Wynterz]

Can anyone please list some types of orchids that are good for beginners? I (and some other people as well I would think) would be VERY thankful. I know Phals are good, so far mine is doing well thank goodness. I would like to expand my collection but I don't know which ones are very good for beginners. Any suggestions would help, thanks!

[james mickelso]

My vote would go to Cattleyas and their cousins. C. intermedia is an excellent choice as they are very easy to grow and fairly robust. Epidendruns are also very easy and give flowers more than once a year. Cymbidiums are also a great choice. There are thousands of different cultivars from which to choose. And they grow the most gorgeous flower spikes. Very colorful. The oncidium alliance is good too. Onc. Sharry Baby smells up the whole house. Try those.

[RJSquirrel]

you need to come to the OS meeting this week at the Houston Garden Center at the museum. we have raffle plants you can win. but lots of information is available from a large diverse group of people. We all love orchids is the only thing we have in common .

We will no doubt have lots of plants on display. I myself will have about 5 small and compact good to grow in the house or outdoors on the porch orchids that are blooming....

But to start with..that really depends on how you are able to grow them as to what and how easy one will be or difficult.

Paphs IMO are good teaching plant that dont cost much, dont take up a lot of space, can look wonderful blooming or not and will make you very happy when they do bloom. You will enjoy your starting out orchid more if you get one that will grow faster and bloom more readily than catts or cymbidiums. you can move into them later as the cost will rise as you gain confidence in your culture. being in houston you will have to be particular and stay indoors if you dont have a shade or greenhouse.

[bballr4567]

I'd get a Onc Sherry Baby as well. Really easy to grow and it's not that large outside of its spike.

I'd recommend Pot. Burana Beauty as well. It's a smallish plant that has grown like a weed for me. If you have the light for it I highly recommend it.

[Leafmite]

What are your growing conditions? Lighting, temps, humidity, etc?
If you select the right lighting, medium (or mount), temps, and watering to suit the orchid's needs in your environment, the orchid will be easy. Some orchids do better mounted.

[WhiteRabbit]

As someone who still struggles with Phals after several years, I know that what is 'easy' for one, might not be for another. And much depends on your growing conditions - temps, how much light you can provide, how often you can or are willing to water.

That said, I have found many Oncidiums, and Oncidium alliance and Oncidium alliance intergenerics to be fairly easy in my conditions. Most do well on windowsills or outdoors - Many can become quite big rather quickly once they get going, but can always be divided. And there are more petite ones, as well.

Some Dendrobiums have been pretty easy for me - the Phal type (Den-phal), Latouria type (I love my Den Aussie Chip!) These have done well on windowsills for me.

Mini-Catts are usually very well suited to growing in a bright window.

Cymbidiums can be easy if you can grow outdoors, and are not in a tropical climate. Most need quite a bit of light to bloom, and most also need a period of cool nights in fall to initiate spikes (low 50s or lower at night)- so best grown outside at least until you have threat of frost - not to mention many are BIG! There are 'warmth tolerant' Cyms, that don't require the cool period, but you need to hunt those out.

I haven't had much success blooming Paphs, but many people find them not difficult. Good for windowsills.

I'm sure you will get a lot of suggestions! Have fun!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by bballr4567

I'd get a Onc Sherry Baby as well. Really easy to grow and it's not that large outside of its spike.

Just give that Sharry Baby time - mine is a monster! hehe
That said - it is a good suggestion, not difficult to grow, and can always be divided to maintain it's size.

[bballr4567]

Yea, I've seen the pics of yours! Lol

Mine has three pbulbs and two new ones growing.

[Mira-Claude]

I know that cattleya intermedia is extremely tolerant. I was given one that had it's roots chopped, went 2 weeks without water in no medium and was shipped from the US to Canada in the meanwhile, it got cold on the way home too. After two weeks at home planted in medium bark with regular watering when dry (and sometime a few days later) it just took again and started making roots.
Now it is steadily growing like nothing happened a month later. Sure the leaves show signs of having been stressed but the pseudo bulbs are getting plumber again.
I spoke to other people who have one and many have anecdotes similar to mine where their plant kept on growing.
Otherwise Dtps. Purple Martin is a phalaenopsis that grows like there is no tomorrow here.
And I could say the same for Vanda Kultana Fragrance which smells awesome on the up side!
Good luck!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by bballr4567

Yea, I've seen the pics of yours! Lol

Mine has three pbulbs and two new ones growing.

Your's is on it's way then!