Branching out from Phals, blue orchids (again) and lots of questions

[RosieC]

Sounds like you hubby might have got the orchid bug as well.

Vanda's have some of the closest to blue flowers that I've seen in orchids. The link you gave looks a bit more blue than I've seen though. Here's a link to another of the same hybrid (not the same cultivar) and it's a bit more purple. Scroll down the thread for the flower shots.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a-delight.html

Here's another link to one shown on another forum. This is what I call blue, but it's still not quite the blue on your link which strikes me as maybe not true.
V. Pachara Delight 'Sakate'

---------- Post added at 01:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 PM ----------

Here's another link that looks pretty blue to my eye.

V.Pachara Delight | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Anyway, good luck with it and don't panic

[Island Girl]

You will be fine! They just need a little (well, maybe a lot) more light than Phals.... You live in NC ... Where in NC? (general, don't need your address or anything ) you might be able to grow this outside, you mentioned you live in a town house? So, do you have a patio/balcony/front porch? Which way is it/are they facing?


Don't freak out! The OB will come to your rescue! we got your back! No worries! And, if you can't find a good place with enough natural light, then you can always get a cheap shop-light fixture from Lowes/HD, and buy a (6500k) plant lightbulb for it (although, depending on the price, it may be cheaper to order one (this has a ready-made kit, with a bulb for $39.95, 24" Complete set): T5 High Performance Reflector Kit (Lights & Fixtures) : Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies, We offer everything to grow great Orchids!) but, first let's see if you have a good spot naturally. (what is a bad spot for Phals, could be good for a Vanda? )

Edit: Lol, yes, your hubby sounds like he's been bitten by the orchid bug too! ......y'all, we seem to be able to recruit new orchid 'addicts' that don't even participate in the forum!

[kindrag23]

During winter I set some of my warm seeking, bright light loving chids next to my tortoise terrarium, I have a ceramic heat and infrared heat bulbs on him and they seem to be happy.

[tucker85]

Orchids that approach the blue end of the spectrum are almost impossible to photograph properly. They usually look more blue on a computer screen than they do in real life. I have two V. Pachara Delights. They are more purple than blue when seen in sunlight. Never-the-less the bluish/purple vandas are pretty spectacular, in my opinion, because they are a color that you don't see very often in orchids. There are some phals, bred from Phal. violacea that approach the blue spectrum also but they're the type with short spikes and small numbers of very small flowers. Not everyone likes that kind of phal.. The best blue colors I've ever seen in flowers are found in morning glories. I pulled over to the side of the road one time when I saw a fence covered with sky blue morning glories.

[LadySoren]

Thank you for your advice everyone!
I haven't gotten back to you because I have been on vacation and also was freaking out about this whole Vanda thing.

Here's an update though:
So, I was so worried about this and didn't want to kill a $65 orchid (yeah) that I finally asked my husband if he would be able to cancel the order. He contacted the seller (Orchids dot com) and they canceled it for him. What. A. Relief.
I feel guilty, but I would feel more guilty if I killed the thing.
Sad, BUT
He did end up ordering-
Phal. Chiada Stacy 'Chocolate Drop'
(P. Caribbean Sunset x P. Sunrise Red Peoker)



I keep telling he has been bitten by that famous orchid bug, be he is in denial. Tsk tsk.

Again, I am so relieved about canceling the order... Maybe one day, but I'm just not ready to move out of my Phal comfort zone...
I have contacted my local Orchid Society and will try to go to some of their meetings They seem very nice.

Anyway, this is WAY more info than anyone would even want....

The website we purchased the Phal. Chiada Stacy 'Chocolate Drop' from indicated that it is fragrant. This could be a mistake. Does anyone know? And if it is, what does it smell like?

Thanks again guys!

[jeremyinsf]

Have you considered trying a $10 or $15 Paph (Paphiopedilum) ? Many do not require a lot of light, and then can be fun and easy to grow if you start with a basic hybrid type.

God apparently did not make any blue ones. But there are still some nice ones!

Just a suggestion - I know what it's like to worry about that expensive plant you want to be 'sure' of.

[LadySoren]

Originally Posted by jeremyinsf

Have you considered trying a $10 or $15 Paph (Paphiopedilum) ? Many do not require a lot of light, and then can be fun and easy to grow if you start with a basic hybrid type.

God apparently did not make any blue ones. But there are still some nice ones!

Just a suggestion - I know what it's like to worry about that expensive plant you want to be 'sure' of.

Are those the carnivorous orchids? Lady slippers or am I thinking of something else? I guess I could google it instead of lokking dumb, but I'm being lazy... lol

[jeremyinsf]

The are not, but to some, they look that way.

Do a google image search for paphiopedilum

The maudiae type are a good place to start.

[The Orchid Boy]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

Are those the carnivorous orchids? Lady slippers or am I thinking of something else? I guess I could google it instead of lokking dumb, but I'm being lazy... lol

Nope, not all carnivorous. There are things like sarracenia and nepenthes that could maybe look similar if you stare at them long enough. I love lady slippers! I have the hardy U.S. kinds (cypripedium), Asian and South American ones (paphiopedilums and phragmipediums), and the tiniest, cutest Mexican one (mexipedium). Try some of them and don't hesitate to ask questions! There's all different shapes and sizes and most all like to be moist and have low to medium light. Basically like phals.