Any advice for a complete beginner....

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by JamesEG

So, what advice would you give to someone like me who has no experience? I would like to get an orchid, so what species should I be aiming for to start with? I don't really want to get a Phalaenopsis as they are the most common by what I can see and my Mum already has about 3, although I do really like them, I would like to get something different, and of course prove my Mum wrong who says anything other than Phalaenopsis is too difficult to keep! I really like the look of Cymbidium, Cattleya, or Dendrobium orchids as they also seem relatively easy to care for, and I love the look of orchids that have pseudobulbs but I'm not sure what species have those.

For Anacheillium, (a Cattleya relative that used to be a part of the genus Encyclia), try:

Anacheilium cochleatum
Anacheilium fragrans
Anacheilium radiatum

For Barkerias, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Barkeria scandens
Barkeria spectabilis
Barkeria whartoniana

For Brassavola, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Brassavola nodosa

For Cattleyas, try:

Cattleya harrisoniana
Cattleya labiata
Cattleya loddigesii
Cattleya lueddemanniana
Cattleya luteola
Cattleya jenmanii
Cattleya maxima
Cattleya mendelii
Cattleya quadricolor
Cattleya warscewiczii

For Cymbidiums, try:

Cymbidium aloifolium
Cymbidium dayanum
Cymbidium ensifolium
Cymbidium sinense

For Dendrobiums, try:

Dendrobium bracteosum
Dendrobium jenkinsii
Dendrobium kingianum
Dendrobium lamyaiae
Dendrobium loddigesii
Dendrobium unicum

For Encyclias, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Encyclia alata
Encyclia cordigera
Encyclia gracilis
Encyclia phoenicea
Encyclia prismatocarpa
Encyclia tampensis

For Epidendrums, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Epidendrum radicans

For Guarianthe, (used to be considered Cattleya), try:

Guarianthe aurantiaca

For Laelias, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Laelia anceps
Laelia purpurata
Laelia superbiens
Laelia tenebrosa

For Leptotes, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Leptotes bicolor
Leptotes unicolor

For Oncidiums, try:

Oncidium cheirophorum
Oncidium ornithorhynchum
Oncidium sphacelatum

For Rhyncholaelia, (a Cattleya relative), try:

Rhyncholaelia digbiyana
Rhyncholaelia glauca

These are but just a few of many species orchids you can choose from as a beginner.

Originally Posted by JamesEG

Also I have a couple of quick questions regarding my Mum's orchids, one has a white fungus or mold on a root, and one (a miniature one) has had all it's leaves turn a strange red-brown colour, they're also very soft, unlike the firm green leaves on a normal orchid, what causes these problems?

A picture would help to get an idea of what the problem could be.

Originally Posted by JamesEG

Also, I'm interested to know how hard it is to grow an orchid from seed, I love growing plants from seeds or cuttings and watching them grow, it is inevitable that I would want this experience with orchids. But everything I've read about it sounds very difficult!

Without going into too much detail, I recommend skipping growing orchids from seeds in general for now. Wait until you are far more experienced before you consider this again.

Originally Posted by JamesEG

Anyway sorry for writing so much on my first post... I hope this forum can provide me with any answers to questions I may have! Although it seems like a very friendly community

Thanks, James

Welcome to the OB.

[MattWoelfsen]

If you really want a unique orchid that is easy to grow and you have limited space, I highly recommend Neofinetia Falcata orchids. There is a culture and tradition about these plants that are very appealing. As you become an orchid person, you will find that the flowers of an orchid is what is prized. But Neofinetias are prized for its plant form and its flower. These plants are grown in a mound of spaghnum moss and are displayed in beautiful pots. The flowers are very fragrant.

If the United States has a society for Neofinetia I'm wondering if the UK has one? For more information about this orchid, click on this link, it will take you to the society's website. http://fukiransoa.weebly.com/index.html

Here are a couple of examples taken for the website.

If you want to explore OB member's specific information on Neofinetias and other orchids, go to the top of this forum and look for the sub forum: Orchid Alliances. Scroll down to Vanda Alliances and you will find the subcategory of Neofintia Falcata. This is a very active sub group. We share photos, and one member, "Pilot" has become our Pot Artist.

[JamesEG]

Thanks for all the replies, I'll read through everything that has been said and I'll do some research on the orchids that have been recommended so that I can choose one that I have a good chance of keeping alive! Oncidiums seem like one I could try but as I said, more research is needed I think.

Philip here are the pictures of the problems I have mentioned. I apologize for the first photo being slightly out of focus but you should be able to see the white fungus on the root, looking at it again none of the roots seem to actually look healthy. Also in the second picture there is a new leaf and some new growth so maybe the orchid will be fine? But then I really have no idea. I hope you can help

Thanks, James

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. The mold is on dead roots. You can get rid of those roots.

2. The potting media may be getting crusty and old, I'd change those out.

3. The plant is badly dehydrated due to heavy root loss.

4. Get a much, much smaller pot. You can make one out of a used water bottle.

5. Raise humidity and keep warm. Keep the temperature range at 60 F - 95 F (15.6 C - 35 C). Humidity at this point, should ideally be around 70% - 80% or higher.

6. Raise temperatures with a heating pad. I've never had to use one, but other people on the OB can direct you on what brand to use and where to get one.

Raise humidity with a humidifier. A warm mist humidifier would be of benefit to a Phal.

note: If you grow cool growing orchids, I'd recommend the cool mist. But Phals like it warm, so a warm mist humidifier is better for it.

[Nanook 2010]

I would look into other growing techniques before purchasing a humidifier and a heating pad

How about putting it near a window with a humidity tray below it?

[JamesEG]

Thanks for the help, I'll show your post to my Mum and see what she can do. Hopefully I can prevent myself from making those mistakes when I get an orchid.

Also, is a humidity tray just a tray with a small amount of water in it? Sorry for my lack of knowledge.

James

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by JamesEG

Sorry for my lack of knowledge.

James

It doesn't work that way here, you can ask anything!

Basically you want a shallow tray, perhaps with some pebbles/rocks in it, with water over them, so that water can evaporate off and above. You don't want the actual plant standing in any water. You can either buy them or make your own. Try a google search for examples.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Nanook 2010

I would look into other growing techniques before purchasing a humidifier and a heating pad

How about putting it near a window with a humidity tray below it?

Putting it near a window most likely exposes the Phal to cooler temperatures, not necessarily warmer temperatures, unless you can verify with a thermometer that it actually does subject the Phal to warmth. Drafts get through the cracks of the windows. Some people even open up their windows for fresh air! He lives in the UK.

Besides, he already has it near a window.

I recommended the humidifier because some people on the OB have mentioned that humidity trays are not all that effective. A good humidifier will provide the humidity for certain.

There are other cheaper methods, that coincidentally also has the potential of giving you "cheaper results". He hasn't mentioned any kind of constraints yet, so why not recommend a humidifier and a heating pad?

[shushu45]

Welcome. ^_^

I agree with the others. I would think Paphiopedilum. I don't have one myself but from what I have read on OB people have great success with them.

[JamesEG]

Thanks for the replies again, I'll tell my Mum what's been said. Hopefully the orchids will recover. For now though I've moved the miniature one away from the window as it was open and it's quite cold in the UK right now.

James