Easy to grow uncommon species

[Aleksa]

Hello everyone,

I have been growing orchids for some years now, and currently I have moved to another country where I have access to some more exotic species (and the greenhouse with artificial lights!).

Therefore, I would like to start making small collection of some easy to grow, but not so widespread species (no more fancy phalaenopsis please! ). I can give them continuous summer conditions in the greenhouse as well as dormancy in the cooler part of the building.

I have started by ordering one Brassavola nodosa. It seems as fast growing, resilient plant with beautifully scented flowers.

I am open for any suggestions - scented, miniature, large, weird...anything as long as they are not too demanding!

---------- Post added at 07:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 AM ----------

P.S. I am sorry if I have misplaced this thread in the Beginners section. I am certainly not a total beginner, but I couldn't find more suitable category.

[dbarron]

I understand...seems the best place to me to post this sort of thing.
I enjoy the miltonias, oncidiums, and paphs, if you have the climate for it.
I think (if I had the greenhouse/ sunroom for it), I'd be adding vandas and epidendrums for sure. I have mixed feelings about cymbidiums myself.
I don't know that my species list is helpful to you, but you're welcome to my dreams (lol).

[WhiteRabbit]

Some less common, but easy growers (for me at least): Meiracyllium trinasutum (a small Cattleya relative with a great cinnamon fragrance), Gastrochilus japonicus (also a mini), Aerangis citrata, Sarcochilus hartmannii (and probably any other Sarcochilus) if you can provide cool fall and winter temps.

Not especially uncommon, but branching out from Phals: Cattleya intermedia, Dendrobium victoria-reginae (cool grower, but warmth tolerant - tho bloom color is better in cooler temps), Encyclia bractescens, Miltonia flavescens.

[Ray]

Pretty much all orchids are "easy to grow" - as long as you can meet their requirements.

The trick is clearly defining the conditions you can provide, then find plants that want those conditions.

[Paul]

"Uncommon" is a very subjective thing. What is uncommon for one person may be a boring "weed" to another.

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

[Leafmite]

Mormolyca ringens. I love this one. I don't know how rare it is but it is certainly an easy one to grow.

[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.

[dbarron]

Unfortunately, native species are often rare in cultivation and should not be dug from the wild (unless of course they are prolific).

[Subrosa]

There are always laws pertaining to the collection of wild plant material. In the US federally endangered or threatened species are illegal to dig without proper permits. Other than that, you have to check with your state laws as they vary. Here in PA many species which are listed under state law as endangered or even extirpated are dirt common in neighboring NJ and DE. Although the federal government doesn't list many of these species, PA does and multiple regulations apply. Know your species and know your laws before you even consider collecting from the wild. As far as Serbia, I know nothing!

[Orchid Whisperer]

If you like miniatures, try Restrepia species. Restrepia brachypus is easy as long as it does not dry out. You could keep a dozen or more Restrepia in a 10-gallon terrarium (though a terrarium is not essential) There are Restrepia species tolerant of warm, intermediate, and cool conditions.