Easy care/blooming orchids for windows and beginners

[annabanana1987]

#9 :-) love book store smell!

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[Paul]

Do remember to take any advice as to which orchids are "easy" with a grain of salt. Much depends upon your individual growing conditions and watering habits.

For example, there are those "deluded" (heh heh j/k) folks who would tell you paphs and phrags are "easy". (Personally, I can't keep one alive to save anyone's life. ) Many folks consider phals to be a breeze while others find them surprisingly difficult. Then there are those who would recommend many of the catts as easy whereas others either kill them or can't bloom them. I've known various folks over the years whose experiences are just this.

So with all that said, make sure to determine ahead of time just what your cultural conditions (temp, humidity, light, watering frequency, etc) are like and how easily you can or can't meet the needs of plants outside of that range. The closer you come to matching the plants' desired conditions, the easier it will be for you to grow it. That, then, will aid you as you research what plants you'd like to try. (Btw, this is not meant to discourage you from trying more "challenging" chids, but rather as a simple means of guiding you choices based on how much effort you can and are willing to spend.)

[Vanda lover]

I highly recommend Burr. Nelly Isler. I got one at Christmas and it was not disappointing. It blooms for a long time, is fragrant and blooms again when the next growth is complete.

[RosieC]

Lol proof of Paul's comment about everyone's easy is different. I've killed three Nelly Islers so far. I grow a lot of orchid but that one just won't grow for me.

[palm521]

most cattleya this days are actually easy to grow. with a few exceptions of course.

Aclandie and shilleriana are a pain to stablish, but once they do, they are easy growers, (same applies to a good range of bifoliate cattleyas)

[Vanda lover]

And I have trouble with Catts. Paul is certainly right. You still have to do your research. My neighbour is usually good with phals but is now having problems. She has potted them in bark, which she isn't used to. With the sphag, she could feel weather they are wet or not.

[mimigirl]

Man, thanks all of you for your advice and comments. I m studying all of this and my head is spinning a little. But i m feeling more confident with everything i find out. I have to remember, just like when i knit, this is supposed to be fun. Not become a real drag. There are too many other orchids to try and learn from my mistakes. 28 days til the show! But who is counting.....

[Ordphien]

Lol. I'll definitely echo the "different for everyone" comment.
I find paphs easy.
But give me a supposedly bullet proof oncidium and watch it die.


I'm finding zygopetalum and hybrids to be very rewarding. And maxillaria. Maxillaria are bullet proof for me. I might actually try shooting bullets at them. They might just bounce off.

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[Leafmite]

Okay, I'll add a disclaimer...I have the Haraella rectrocalla in a little clear plastic cube, mounted on red lava rock, and I add water to the cube about once every three months. It is nearly constantly in bloom. How easy is that?

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Okay, I'll add a disclaimer...I have the Haraella rectrocalla in a little clear plastic cube, mounted on red lava rock, and I add water to the cube about once every three months. It is nearly constantly in bloom. How easy is that?

You make me want a Haraella! I don't have one of those yet, and they don't take a lot of space. That sounds like a great way to grow them.