Orchids other than phals for beginners

[LadySoren]

I know this has probably been asked, but I tried to search the forum, and I just can't find with the wording I'm using.

Anyway, if a beginner wishes to branch out from Phals, what orchids are easiest to care for?

My environment-
Indoor
Light:: No good windows, so I have to use a 23W CFL in a clamp/reflector type lamp, so far it's ok except for one of my phals. No idea the foot candles. :-/
Humidity:: Honestly I have no idea. I use pebbles and water for now. I don't own a hydrometer. I call my Western NC indoor AC/Heat climate "dry" because I grew up in Fort Lauderdale FL so that's all I know to compare it to. Maybe it's "humid" here, but I only notice when it's raining. lol
Potting:: clear plastic pots, bark, perlite, and charcoal (mostly bark)
Fert:: KLN and Dyna Grow for now every so often, not together.


((I'm the same person who's husband ordered a vanda online and I almost had an anxiety attack over it so he canceled the order and got us another mini pha. hahah oh man...))

Any suggestions? I have 4 phals and a Ludisia Discolor (which I'm still new to, but should be easy right?).

maybe I shouldn't bother....

[kindrag23]

Always bother! How else will you learn. I like schomburgkia. Bright light, water right before completely dry. Mines in moss mounted and hanging in a net basket...um dont ask foot candles I have absolutely no idea... I do like vandas I must say lol! Vandas I would think would well in your climate

[LadySoren]

About Vanda- Not indoors though. Would have to get something brighter for light and mist all the time unless I tried the vase method, but we don't have a lot of room.
We live in a town home with not much of a yard and I don't want to grow outdoors for now anyway.

[kindrag23]

Ahhh I see. Um paphiopedilum I think require low/medium light so your windows would seem like a good spot. I am nursing mine he sits in a bowl with live sphag. On a saucer on that in the better gro special mix. Besides my african violets which I noticed today one is in bud!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

About Vanda- Not indoors though. Would have to get something brighter for light and mist all the time unless I tried the vase method, but we don't have a lot of room.

The points you make are not necessarily true for the genus. The lighting intensity you need to provide can vary depending on the type of Vanda you're getting. You have to take into consideration that some genera of orchids that were once considered separate from the genus Vanda are now included in the genus Vanda. A couple examples are Ascocentrum and Neofinetia - orchids in both genera are now classified as Vandas.

I recommend growing them [Vanda] potted.

It can be done. I've done it successfully for several years.

You're probably getting the larger species of Vandas if the issue is space. There are some Vandas that stay small, but are still pretty showy. Some of the smaller ones tend not to need super bright light.

Originally Posted by LadySoren

We live in a town home with not much of a yard and I don't want to grow outdoors for now anyway.

Try:

- Miniature to small sized Epidendrum, (not all of them require bright light).
- Encyclia/Pollardia/Anacheilium, (not all of them require bright light).
- Some of the intermediate to warm growing miniature to small sized Dendrobiums that grow in moderately bright light.
- Aerangis
- If you haven't tried the Phal species, many of them are pretty small, some of the Phal hybrids are pretty big because they might contain a little Phal gigantea in them.

[RandomGemini]

I haven't purchased one yet, but I have my eye on Aerangis luteo alba v. rhodosticta. It's an adorable plant that grows in similar light to phals and the blooms are these pretty white flowers with a orange dot in the center. Just gorgeous! I think that will be my first non-phal. You should do an image search on google to look at how the plant grows potted. I think it's very cute.

[Silje]

I just have to say that my aerangis have turned out to be a bigger challenge for me than my angraecums regarding humidity, but maybe it's ok if you grow it in a pot and not mounted. I complete understand your choice! Angraecoids are just irresistible if you like white flowers.

[MattWoelfsen]

King_of_orchid mentioned Neofinetia as an example of "newly" classified Vanda alliance plants. But unlike its bigger relatives, Neofinetia stay small in comparison. In fact many Neofinetia enthusiast collect a Neofinetia variety called "bean leaf"--which are very small. The largest plant sometimes exceeds 5-6 inch leaf spans but most are 3-4 inches.

There is a sub forum on the OB: Vanda Alliance - Neofinetia. Members in that forum spend a lot of time talking about their plants and showing off pictures.

Reason for my commending you to check that sub forum out is to suggest you consider Neofinetia as a good alternative to raising Phalaenopsis. Compared to Phalaenopsis, Neofinetia are even easier to grow:

1) Neofinetia flourish in the same light as Phalaenopsis;
2) Neofinetia have a temperature range within the human comfort zone throughout the year. In the summer time they can tolerate higher temperatures and higher humidity. In the winter time they can tolerate lower temperatures as low as freezing--not recommended but they have been known to survive. Neofinetia require less water in the winter time.
3) Neofinetia don't require as much constant attention as Vandas--if you are a successful Phalaenopsis grower you can grow Neofinetia.
4) You can grow two Neofinetia in the same space as one miniature Phalaenopsis.

Neofinetia are native to China, Korea, and Japan. In Japan they have been cultivated for many centuries. The earliest record of their cultivation is around 1645. They were originally collected only by the rich and noble warrior/ruling class of feudal Japan. In our time, Neofinetia can easily be purchased for as little as Phalaenopsis but you'll never find one in a grocery or home improvement store.

In the entire USA, there are only four Neofinetia vendors--two vendors, Seed Engai and New World Orchids provide primarily Neofinetia and other Japanese orchids. One vendor, Orchids Limited has a large selection of Neofinetia, and a fourth vendor, Al's orchids offer some Neofinetia. Other orchid vendors offer "a white flowered" or a "yellow flowered" or a "pink flowered" Neofinetia -- those generically named orchids, are very reasonably priced. Those are good starter Neofinetia. But it is when you start acquiring the named varieties is where all the allure of Neofinetia come into play.

[RJSquirrel]

I cant think of any that have actually been what I could call EASY. All things considered for the regular person who wants to start out they can be challenging.

I think what you mean by EASY is Whats EASY for you in the environment you want to grow them in. From the looks of it you may have to move to get an EASIER to grow orchid

[Ordphien]

Things I've found to be easy and rewarding, as rewarding as a phal. Which is a no care orchid in my home. I water every once in a while and repot in the right medium and they flourish. These orchids have been like that for me....
I'm still learning too... but so far...
Oncidium Twinkle. It's such a robust grower, and I'm trying my hardest to kill my oncidiums.
Not really but they sure look like I am.
Zygopetalum. I've just really gotten into them and they have proven to be extremely easy.
Paphs... mine haven't done too much. They sure are slow. But they are growing at a constant rate and require little care.
Cattleya... they need higher light but they are a breeze to take care of. I actually find them perfect for mounting. I can take out my urge to mist things on them and they thrive. I do prefer mini cattleya though.
Cymbidiums. These might not work for you. But here I literally leave them outside on my patio and water once a week with my hose.
I say just to give what catches your eye a go. You never really know.

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