Easy to grow uncommon species

[astrid]

I just got an encyclia cochleata. It is unusual, not everyone has them, and their blooms look like little funny octopuses. I really love them, and people say they grow like weeds.

Another plant that grows like a weed is the dendrobium kingianum.

Both of these are fairly common within the orchid world, but unusual enough for a non-orchid grower to impress some people.

---------- Post added at 05:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Terrestrial orchids native to your area. Few people appreciate their native species, so they tend to be uncommon to rare in cultivation compared to more "traditional" orchids. As far as easy care, planting native species in the ground in their native region is about as low maintenance as it gets.

I might add to this that while you may have a terrestrial native species of orchid, it may grow well along some riverbank or in the forest, but may suffer and die in your backyard. Climate and conditions can vary just a few miles away enough that an orchid might not make it. Unless you can provide a very similar environment, you may be killing an endangered and/or protected species.

Best to leave native species in their natural environment, and always always check if they are legal to dig up or otherwise perturb.

Most orchids my friends from Switzerland showed me in the Alps were illegal to pluck or damage at all, with hefty fines if you were caught.

[Aleksa]

Dear everyone,

Thank you very much!

These little gems which you suggested is exactly what I wanted. Of course, 'unusual' is very disputable term but I see that you figured out what I meant.

Unfortunately, collecting native orchids is strictly forbidden in Germany. I've been thinking about trying to grow Cypripedium calceolus, but gave up in the end because it is difficult to maintain in culture due to its intimate association with mycorrhizal fungi.

[FrFrancis]

I have found that bulp phalaenopsis is easy to grow and quite unique when it flowers. It does smell like rotting meat for a while but it s so worth it. It grows in phal conditions. angraecum sesquipedale is the Darwing Orchid and produces huge, stunning and pleasant smelling orchids and grows under cattleya conditions. Maxillariella tenuifolia is the smallest of my recommendations and it's flowers smell like coconut. It grows in phal conditions but likes a little more light if possible and should dry out a bit more between waterings. All these plants are super easy and really impressive.

[MattWoelfsen]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Neofinetia falcata. This is a very common plant in certain parts of the world but in other parts not common--Europe, South America, Africa, Mid-East.

Neofinetia is a member of the Vanda alliance. It is a miniature plant and its flowers are fragrant.

[Optimist]

It really does depend on what environment is easy for you to provide for them. I personally like the paphs as a next step up if the person is a beginner. Oncidiums are high to medium light. Figuring out what sort of environment you have is very important. Some don't bloom unless you give them the correct light. It is similar to planting bearded iris in the shade. You will get leaves, but no blooms. You can keep them growing healthy, but not get blooms almost indefinitely. Flowers are about seeds and reproduction. They will not waste the energy on reproduction if the environment will not support the seedlings that will come after the flowers.

[Buyer4p]

Can someone tell me how to re pot the Gastrochilus Japonicus

[Afid]

Originally Posted by Paul

An extremely easy mini, IMO, is Dinema (aka. Encyclia, aka Epidendrum) polybulbon.

One of my favorite species! I got one last fall and killed it within two weeks : (it may have been an issue with the vendor), I want to try again.

[Buyer4p]

does anyone know if I can save my Gastrochilus japonicus lost its roots

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Buyer4p

does anyone know if I can save my Gastrochilus japonicus lost its roots

Photo would help I think most Gastrochilus really do better mounted, if you can accommodate the needs of a mounted plant. If not, a basket with loosely-packed sphagnum will give similar wet-dry cycle and air that these need.

[Buyer4p]

Thank you Roberta. I did have it mounted but maybe it is my conditions.
Sorry new to this variety. Should it just be mounted or mounted with sphagnum moss.

I have a picture to share