Portland Show and Seedling Question

[vermin06]

Come this April, we're going to be having an orchid show in Portland, OR (I can't wait!) and I was pondering the idea of grabbing a couple seedlings should I find any that I'd like, if I'm still willing to try after doing more research.

But to save myself some effort with research (lazy much?) I thought I'd throw the question out there: what types of orchids are easiest to start from seedling? Any personal favorites to grow up from any of the more experienced out there? Any horror stories you'd like to share?

Side note: if anyone has been to the Portland orchid show before, is it as magical as I hope it to be? I'd be my first show, and I've been saving up to do some good spending.

[Polarizeme]

This years show will prove to be unlike the normal Portland show as this is the AOS annual meeting too. The show promises to have some world class vendors, it will be awesome.
I don't know what to suggest as I have no idea what your growing situation is like. How are you growing your orchids now?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by vermin06

But to save myself what types of orchids are easiest to start from seedling?

That is not a question that can be validly answered, as it depends upon your conditions.

Someone growing in cool, moist conditions may find masdies and draculas to be easy to grow from seedlings, while someone with warmer conditions would struggle.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[wintergirl]

I have been inside/window growing a couple vanda and cattleya seedlings that have been doing great. I guess it all depends on what you like, want and conditions.

[vermin06]

Oh yes, good point. Well, I live in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, so it's usually pretty humid here, though lately it's been a bit dry (for here). They're indoors, I just set them near a south facing window (their foliage is a bit dark for my liking). I have four phalaenopsis and an oncidium. I don't know the specific names, as I don't even know what color the blossoms the phals have. I got them on discount from Wal-Mart.

In my house, I keep it around 65-70, but I'm not sure what the night time temps are. I'm thinking about getting a thermometer/humidity meter and setting them up where I have the orchids now to see. Perhaps that'd be more helpful :P

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't recommend seedlings any smaller than 3" tall. It could be a disappointing venture for you no matter what orchid you're going to try. Do not take offense to this, but I think you should take on more orchid growing before trying any seedling smaller than 3".

It is preferable to grow mature plants. Seedlings can be demanding in some ways. They are also prone to die a lot easier. Which is why a more established 3" seedling, (depending on the type of orchid), is the better choice. Some orchids will also take upwards of 5 to 10 years to bloom from seedling size, (many people don't have this kind of patience).

My recommendations are not always appealing, exciting, or "adventurous". In fact, I can sound like a massive buzzkill, but I'm giving you my opinion based on what I've gone through and I'm telling you what I think will keep you interested in the hobby, not piss you off from frustration.

[vermin06]

Your response is honest, and that doesn't bother me at all. I'm open to being talked out of disappointment.

I recently picked up an orchid book at the library that I'm reading through now, so I'm pretty happy to see what I learn from it as well.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Giving it some thought, maybe try a nice established 3" seedling of a Dendrobium species or hybrid of your choice that grows well in the intermediate temperature range. I think you will be very happy with this decision. Since Dendrobiums are a very large genus of orchids, there's a ton to choose from. So you can go knock yourself out this way.

Perhaps even a miniature sized Dendrobium such as Dendrobium normanbyense, Dendrobium loddigesii, Dendrobium ceraula, Dendrobium lamyaiae, or Dendrobium unicum would work well for you.