It might be time to buy my 4th orchid.

[My Green Pets]

*Sigh*

So I went down to my local garden center today which always has a bunch of orchids. It's been cold and dreary and gray, so I needed a pick-me-up, and just looking at and sniffing the orchid flowers (as well as the other plants) always brightens my day.

Soooooooo this is some of what I saw:








Not pictured but also very interesting were some Oncidium Twinkles covered in buds as well as a few Cattleyas with several buds just getting ready to open.

Of course I want them all...but the one that I really had to pull myself away from was that speckley paph in the second photo. I WANT IT. It's 21 euros...almost 30 bucks.

What do I do guys?

[Carpe Diem]

I say go for it, it is beautiful! A simple white Phal. came home with me yesterday after I handed over $24.99 + tax. I really should stay out of that Flower Shop.

[kikitastrophe]

I love that dark dendrobium best! It's gorgeous and would have followed me home....

[MattWoelfsen]

If I had to choose one, I'd buy the Masdevallia. That is such a cheerful looking plant--something that would be a welcome sight in the bleak days of winter! How did you resist?

[My Green Pets]

@Carpe D—I might, I just might head over there tomorrow. It's been 6 months since I bought my last one.
@kiki—I know, I know...I literally want to bring them all home.
@Matt—There were hot pink ones too, with a light, fresh scent to them. I'd been wondering what the appeal of these little boogers was but, after seeing them, I guess it's the color and the scent. I dont think theyre particularly pretty and from what I gather they're next to impossible to grow without a greenhouse so...wasn't too hard to pass on. If I'm wrong, let me know!

There were several gorgeous vandas hanging above the display but I'm not going to touch that with a 10-foot pole.

My conditions are: west-facing window, cool, ~50-70% humidity, no direct sun half the year and 4-6 hours direct afternoon sun the other half the year. July-August highs are mid-80s, decent air movement.

[LadySoren]

It's always time for another orchid....

I like that near-black one!

[bellini girl]

I love the paph with the spots, pic #2.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

@Matt—There were hot pink ones too, with a light, fresh scent to them. I'd been wondering what the appeal of these little boogers was but, after seeing them, I guess it's the color and the scent. I dont think theyre particularly pretty and from what I gather they're next to impossible to grow without a greenhouse so...wasn't too hard to pass on. If I'm wrong, let me know!

There were several gorgeous vandas hanging above the display but I'm not going to touch that with a 10-foot pole.

My conditions are: west-facing window, cool, ~50-70% humidity, no direct sun half the year and 4-6 hours direct afternoon sun the other half the year. July-August highs are mid-80s, decent air movement.

The Masdevallia you photographed is much like my plant. It has been in bloom now for over a month. It had a dozen blooms and each one opened about every three days. I wish I had taken a picture of it at the height of the blooms. Now the blooms are dying but the remaining flowers are still bright spots on my breakfast table. They do have a faint scent especially when I water the plant.

I have no difficulty growing these plants. They seem to be thriving in room temperatures ranging from 72*F during the day and down to around 64*F over night. I do not let them get too dry. They require less light than Phalenopsis--bright shade. Without blooms, the plant makes a nice green house plant. Except for "the direct sun" condition you observed, a Masdevallia could grow where you live.

If you are looking at only one Masdevallia bloom, it is an acquired taste, but when a plant has a lot of blooms, the plant is spectacular--like the one you photographed. The big Vanda you mentioned are hard for me to grow, I consider those large plants "impossible" to grow successfully in my home. Ironically, I have no problem growing Vanda (Neofinetia) falacata.

[Bud]

Go get that orchid you want....you deserve it...oh and while you're at it=...get the Masdevallia as well and the dark Dendrobium....you wont regret it....Looking at your pictures=I will go home with five orchids heh

[Ferns Daddy]

There always room for one more orchid, having only 4 you really need 1 or 2 more