Suggestions for first Orchid in non-ideal climates

[Paul Mc]

I sit all my orchids by the windows, albeit they are old and a bit drafty, with the temp set around 65 at night. They seem to love it and bloom religiously for me. I don't think the temps you just described would be a problem. I do take mine out late spring to early fall though so they can experience the temperature differences.

[Paul Mc]

Oh, and as you can see I grow many types. The best to start with tend to be Oncidiums, Some Dendrobiums, Phals and Paphs.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by bmilla35

I'm not allowed to set the thermostat below 60 degrees, or else i'd have it set like you! During summer if I kept it in the house it would be around 70 degrees? Maybe mid-70s?

Ha! I'd keep it warmer, but don't care to give anymore money to the power company than I have to

I don't think you need to worry too much about temps - probably ok for some of the cooler growers - and ok for intermediate - warm growers in my opinion.

East or west facing windows are good for most orchids except for ones that require very high light (the big Cattleyas, Vandas, Cymbidiums) or quite low light (some of the Masdevallias, some Draculas - I think, unless they are shaded)

I think there are many orchids that would do fine for you - Oncidiums and Oncidium alliance inter-generic hybrids, many Dendrobiums, Phalaenopsis (except for maybe hot growing species).

Usually, most orchids sold in stores should be good- except for the Cymbidiums, possibly the nobile type Dendrobiums (tall canes with blooms on short spikes growing from the sides of the canes) which need to be cool in winter, not sure just HOW cool they need to be ...

[Paul Mc]

My Paphs though, I leave inside year round as they tend to not like large temperature fluctuations like you'd get outdoors.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Oh, and as you can see I grow many types. The best to start with tend to be Oncidiums, Some Dendrobiums, Phals and Paphs.

[AnonYMouse]

What is your year round temps, humidity and light like where you plan to keep the orchids? A southwest window near a heat register and/or a lighting fixture is going to be a lot warmer/dryer than a northeast facing window. Many orchids are cool grower but not warm tolerant.

You don't have to buy from them but Andy's Orchids has a selector using growing conditions for search parameters. I use it as reference whether I'm buying from them or not (I do have a few of their plants ).

And of course, there are many simple things you can do to accommodate a plant.

[bmilla35]

Wow guys, thanks so much for all the replies. I got distracted for 20 minutes watching the Steeler's game and boom!

I'll look into all the different types that have been mentioned.

In regards to my temps and humidity and the sort, it's hard to tell. Temperatures (outside) can range from mid-80's in the summer (and go to high 90's every now and then) to the teens in the dead of winter. I plan on keeping the Orchids inside, obviously, and tend to keep the room around 65. The room is heated by a radiator, but I believe window faces East.

Thanks for the link to Andy's Orchids. I'll check it out now!

[bmilla35]

I read a lot of places how hybrids are better choices for beginners opposed to species. Is there any truth to this?

I only bring this up after going to Andy's website

ETA: My first search yielded no results perhaps i'm too picky

[AnonYMouse]

There is a check box for easy growers in that search. There must be other places that use "easy or beginner" as a criteria.

I don't think hybrids are particularly easier than species. Its a matter of finding what suits you. I use to pick up mass produced NoID orchids and mostly grew them on neglect because I could always go get another (they have all been adopted out). They are a good way to "cut your teeth" on (cost wise) but as you read more of the forums, you'll see that people have just as much difficulty with hybrids. I now have some species that I feel are too easy to be true and a couple of hybrids that drive me mental.

[bmilla35]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

There is a check box for easy growers in that search. There must be other places that use "easy or beginner" as a criteria.

I don't think hybrids are particularly easier than species. Its a matter of finding what suits you. I use to pick up mass produced NoID orchids and mostly grew them on neglect because I could always go get another (they have all been adopted out). They are a good way to "cut your teeth" on (cost wise) but as you read more of the forums, you'll see that people have just as much difficulty with hybrids. I now have some species that I feel are too easy to be true and a couple of hybrids that drive me mental.

Yeah i'm just an idiot and thought "country of origin" was asking what country I lived in...(that will obviously narrow the results quite a bit). When I used the filter properly, I got two results

I have yet to see any blue orchids. Do they even exist?