Any advice for a complete beginner....

[JamesEG]

Hi everyone, as the title says I am a complete beginner with orchids, although not with houseplants altogether, I have spider plants, jade plants, ivy plants, a chinese elm bonsai and sansevierias, and I've never killed anything! though I'm almost ashamed to say I have never owned and grown an orchid! Although my Mum has a few Phalaenopsis orchids.

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.

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?

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!

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

[Cowluver53]

Hi! i just got my first inter-generic oncidium orchid and it is a very beautiful plant. Oncidiums, Miltonias, and miltassias all have pseudo bulbs and i believe all are easy to care for, other that a phal i believe an oncidium or a dendrobium is a great place to start.

[james mickelso]

Welcome to OB. I am biased and like cattleyas the most. They are easy to grow and flower if you can meet they're preferred conditions. Lots of bright light, decent water, and good air flow. And second to them I like the phals because they flower a couple times a year and hold they're flowers a long time.

[JamesEG]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated! I'll have a look at my local centers and see if they have any of those orchids you mentioned, and I'll be on youtube again finding videos, so far it's been a good source of information to me.

[jeremyinsf]

Many people find Paph's (slipper orchids) a good one to start with. If you get one, try to find one that not only has a nice flower now, but some new growth in the leafs also, as these are what will shoot out new flowers in the future. There are no pseudobulbs, however.

[pipsxlch]

My first instinct when I started reading your post was paphs (paphiopedilums)- they are way cool alien looking flowers, and I believe they'd be easy culture in your area. As Jeremy said though, they're monopodial not sympodial (no pbulbs). Unlike most orchids, they do tend to be attractiuve plants, many with beautifully mottled leaves. And if you do well with paphs, you might want to consider their sometimes freakier cousins the phrags (phragmipedums).
Given what I see other UK hobbyists growing, my first choice for sympodials (those with pseudobulbs) would be plants in the oncidium alliance. There's a LOT of variety here, many with fragrance and/or freeblooming, and a broad range of cultural preferences so there's sure to be some that would like your conditions.
Cymbidiums also seem to be easier success plants in the UK. You can grow the bigger standards, which require a cooldown in the fall to set bud. Expect only once a year blooming, but the plants are attractive.
Cattleyas are another big variable group. Some like it hot, very bright amd get huge so may not be too happy there. I'd look for hybrids (no matter what you choose, you'd almost always do better getting hybrids over species) that have a lot of what used to be Sophronitis in them- they tend to be cooler growing, compact, usually in shades of red.
Dendrobiums are another truly massive group- some would probably do great for you, others would languish. I'd avoid the phalaenanthe (phalaenopsis looking flowers) and spatulata or antelope types and their crosses. Nobile types would probably be very happy, as would many of the Himalayan pendant types. I don't have experience with the others, so can't comment on them.
A group I haven't grown (don't have the right conditions here!) but that from what I've read may be happy with you is masdevallias. Weird flowers, cool plants.
Finally, there are some phal species out there that aren't at all like the supermarket hybrids- you may just like some of them.
There are several people active here who are from the UK- it may be worthwhile looking them up and PMing them for advice and suggestions.
Welcome and good growing! (sorry for the novel lol)

[james mickelso]

No, No. We like novels. More info the better.

[jeremyinsf]

Good call on masdevallias!! Depending on where you are in the UK, they might grow really well there. I'm told by my nursery's that here in coastal San Francisco, they are some of the best growers for the area. Perhaps it would be the same for you.

[Nanook 2010]

Do an Internet search for a local grower...your best source for growing success in your individual area

Visit the American Orchid Society web site and read the culture sheets on the various types

[WhiteRabbit]

I know some of our UK members have had good success with Paphs and Phals. Masdevallias as someone mentioned, might be good to try. My first best success with orchids was an Oncidium.