Suggestions for NON-Phal beginner orchids?

[camille1585]

For some reason, slippers hate me. I do extraordinarily well with Phals and Oncs, and pretty good with the handful of other groups I have. But Paphs.... no blooms.

[The Orchid Boy]

Phals hate me most. They don't give me enough blooms and not the best leaves. Paphs and phrags thrive for me though.

Going to try cypripediums and mexipediums soon...

[Vanda lover]

I agree with Ray. Research the plants that you are interested in to be sure they fit your conditions.
The Wilsonara and many other oncidium hybrids are very adaptable. If I had more South windows I would fill them with vandas, but that is what grows well for me.
The Burrageara Nelly Isler that terracotta 7 mentioned is also quite fragrant, besides being gorgeous.

[quiltergal]

Hi and welcome to OB! You have gotten all kinds of good advice here. I've been growing since 2005 and like Rowangreen tried everything under the sun. While most of them did well for me (except for the masdevallias) I found that it was too difficult to cater to each genre's particular needs. I just don't have the time to do that. So I looked at my collection and asked myself what plants I enjoyed seeing the most when they bloomed, and what I could live without. (Most people here are adding to their collections, while I on the other hand am reducing mine.)

My criteria was what would give me the most bang for my buck bloom wise. I'm not interested in spending oodles of time on a plant that blooms once a year for week. Those were the first to go. Most of my Catts have been sold off or given away. Same with my Onc. and Den. alliance plants. I have narrowed my focus to species Phals, species and hybrid Paphs, and hybrid Phrags. I may add a species or two to the Phrags.

I have found that you can successfully bloom most anything under T5HO lights. I grow most of my plants brighter than most people would. Some of them are getting light intense enough to bloom a Catt or Den (approx. 3000 fc). If you really want to increase your odds of successful indoor blooming I would recommend lights.

Having done the opposite of what Ray recommended I can say that I wish I had followed that advice. You can go from 5 plants to 95 plants in a big hurry if you aren't selective. Whatever you choose have fun with it, and if you aren't sure about what a plant needs just ask. That's what most of us are here for.

[Vanda lover]

I have a brassidium and I love the bloom and the fragrance, but it only blooms once a year for 6 weeks or so. I think I could give it up and replace it with a different oncidium alliance that would bloom a few times a year. It is a good idea to be selective when you have limited space. My brassidium also grows fast and big. The amount of space you have should be considered so that you can have something blooming all year.

[The Orchid Boy]

Onc. Sharry Baby is a nice one. It grows big and fast and the blooms smell like chocolate. I've heard some say that theirs bloom multiple times a year.

Pot. Memoria Irene Feil gives you a lot of blooms for your buck. See some recent pictures of my plant and blooms here: Pot. Memoria Irene Feil 'Ruby Red' AM/AOS It is very easy to care for. I pot mine in pure sphag and don't water till the sphag is totally crispy dry. It also needs less light than other orchids in the cattleya group. For me it blooms every 2-3 months (and makes a new growth every 2-3 months).

[Corry]

Holy moly! I had no idea I had so many replies waiting for me! Well it looks like I have a lot of research ahead of me!

Also, duty called, and I likely will NOT be making the show, even if my tax money DOES come in.

Also, it looks like I'm getting two Phals given to me, which will bring my collection up to 6, if she's serious. (Coworker that has an over-attentive male friend and hates taking care of all the plants he's giving her :P ). They're both done blooming for the year, but that's ok with me.

[camille1585]

Oh yes, Onc Sharry Baby is a great one! Multiple spikes, all very large often, with flowers that have a wonderful fragrance. I love mine. The Twinkle type Oncidiums are very nice too, they always give a lot of blooms, often several times per year.

[Leafmite]

Quiltergal, I tend to rehome orchids...then replace them with more orchids. This spring and summer, I seriously need to get rid of some to make room for the non-orchids I just ordered. I think I will take your advice and look at where I get the most bang.
The Burr. Nelly Isler is definitely a winner. I love how often it blooms, how beautiful the flowers and the fragrance. What a tribute to the woman who created the cross!

[Corry]

It would be nice to have something with a fragrance to it. My phals are the only plant that I have that you buy for the flowers. I have TONS of other houseplants, but they're all foliage plants, pretty much. Tiny little flowers on the shamrock plant, I guess, but no fragrance to them.