Essential orchids?

[Zabeta]

Okay - I suppose it would be close to the shade the cows are in in this picture. It's very, very bright where I live, but the door area is facing north. So a bright but total shade.

Cool Cows - Check shade

[Optimist]

You need to decide what culture you can provide and chose your orchids based on that. Think of the future as well.

Cimbidiums will not actually grow flowers in the shade, but they will grow.

It's like when you plant (German) Iris under a thick tree. You get growing leaves, but you never get flowers.

[rbarata]

Cimbidiums will not actually grow flowers in the shade, but they will grow.

When I said mine flower in the shade I meant no sun ever.

About the cows in the photo, if your place is in the shade (mean no sun) but it gets bright indirect light I think cymbs grow and flower. At least mine do it.
You could try...even if it doesn't flower, at least it won't die.

[Zabeta]

Originally Posted by Optimist

You need to decide what culture you can provide and chose your orchids based on that. Think of the future as well.

Cimbidiums will not actually grow flowers in the shade, but they will grow.

Good to know, thanks. I never actually thought I could grow cymbidiums until rbarata suggested it might be possible. If it's not the right conditions I probably wouldn't try, but it seems to work for him.

---------- Post added at 04:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 PM ----------

Originally Posted by rbarata

When I said mine flower in the shade I meant no sun ever.

About the cows in the photo, if your place is in the shade (mean no sun) but it gets bright indirect light I think cymbs grow and flower. At least mine do it.
You could try...even if it doesn't flower, at least it won't die.

If you find that it works in the shade, then maybe I'll give it a try. I could also temporarily move them to brighter locations when I'm at home during the day. Hmm. You've definitely given me something to consider.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Zabeta

Okay - I suppose it would be close to the shade the cows are in in this picture. It's very, very bright where I live, but the door area is facing north. So a bright but total shade.

Cool Cows - Check shade

To me, that sounds like not enough light for a Cymbidium.

As for the original question in the first post, IMO it's impossible to come up with a list of essential orchids. This is because everyone's tastes, growing conditions, and willingness or ability to provide the specialized care that some plants need is so variable. For example, there are some growers for whom Neofinetia falcata is an essential plant. For me - well, I am not that interested. Its sort of like asking someone to give a list of essential hobbies. Golf, and attending science fiction conventions, would certainly be on someone's list, but not mine.

My suggestion would be to determine what kind of growing conditions you can provide now, or are likely to be able to provide in the future. Then find some plants that interest you that match the conditions you can provide.

[rbarata]

Cymbs are easy to find and are cheap (at least here). So, why not?

[Leafmite]

Here is what I would add to your list:

Phals:
Haraella rectrocalla
Phal amabilis

Cattleyas
Catt aclandiae
Catt Burana Beauty

Dendrobiums
at least one really nice Phal-type Dendrobium

Oncidiums
Maxillaria tenuifolia (the coconut orchid)

Paphs
Paph delenatii (I have one and I don't even like Paphs!)

[Zabeta]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Here is what I would add to your list:

Leafmite, thanks so much for this list. It's exactly what I was looking for: new things to look up that others thought were worthwhile. This gives me some leads. I appreciate it!

[judith_arquette]

I second the Maxillaria Tenuifolia and also recommend Psychopsis. I have a Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' and it's always either in bloom or growing a new bud, not to mention that the leaves are really pretty too

[Zabeta]

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

I second the Maxillaria Tenuifolia and also recommend Psychopsis. I have a Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' and it's always either in bloom or growing a new bud, not to mention that the leaves are really pretty too

I've actually had two Maxillaria tenuifolia from different nurseries and managed to kill both of them. It's embarrassing because this is supposed to be an easy orchid. I love their scent, but for some reason they hate me, so I'll probably avoid those from now on.

I've been searching for a Psychopsis on eBay. I'm dying for one. I actually ordered one (IN SPIKE!) but had a problem with the seller and had to ask for a cancellation. Glad to hear yours is awesome! One day I'll be able to join the Psychopsis club.

---------- Post added at 05:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------

If this isn't too annoying, maybe I'll just list what I have and see if anyone has suggestions based on my climate and current collection:

- several NoID oncidiums. Some are doing well, some not.
- a couple Sharry Baby
- a couple Twinkles
- 2 Brassavola nodosa, one doing well, one not
- Brassavola digbyana
- Lc. Angel Love x Skinneri
- Slc. Final Touch 'Mendenhall' AM/AOS
- Rlc. Ports of Paradise 'Gleneyrie's Green Giant' FCC/AOS
- Lc. Loog Tone 'SD'
- Lc. Bigtime '#1'
- several NoID den. nobile
- 1 NoID den. phal
- Den. kingianum
- 2 Den. spectabile
- Den. unicum
- Encyclia cordigera
- Paph. (Makuli-Curtisii)-Maudiae x Paph. Maudiae 'Napa Valley' HCC/AOS x Sib
- (Paph. Supersuk 'Eureka' AM/AOS x Paph. Raisin Pie 'Hsinying') x Sib
- NoID paph
- several NoID phals
- Phal. Chain Xen Queen 'JB'
- Phal. amboinensis 'Yellow Jacket' HCC/AOS x Phal. amboinensis 'Golden Chalice'*
- Phrag. Grande
- a Tolumnia
- Ascocenda Yarnisa Gold 'Pure Gold'
- Neofinetia falcata
- just ordered a few new ones: a bulbophyllum, a cattleya, and a catasetum

Climate in summer=very hot, very dry; in winter=mild to chilly, very humid

Any further suggestions about new orchids I could try would be very much appreciated.