Essential Tools, Supplies, Good practices for beginners?

[Roberta]

You are correct, you would not have success with that Cleisocentron. Some day, you may get sufficiently "hoooked" that you will have a greenhouse where you can control temperature and humidity. For now, best to practice on those easier orchids, like the Phalaenopsis. Orchids are addicting... soon enough, you will want to branch out to other types, as you gain knowledge. Good growing!

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by alidmisli

Yeah, dont worry, I'm not the person to go in a wild deep jungle too. haha. But yes, will love to get those blue silverish orchids in the future. But it does not grow/suitable for indoor, right?

I don't know. It all depends on how closely you can mimic their natural conditions. According to IOSPE, gokusingii for example, grow in Sabah at elevation of ~1800 meters, so pretty cool and probably humid (cloud forest, maybe?). People here grow them in terrariums/cases/enclosures. Artificial lights, cool mist foggers and fans are added to control the environment. I don't grow them or any cool growing plants but you can search this board and google for people who do.

[Roberta]

I grow both Cleisocentron species outside in coastal southern California. Nights rarely get below freezing, and if so, only for a few hours. Even though coastal, humidity is fairly low (but, I expect, a lot higher than Brunei) I have both misters and a sprinkler system on a timer, so can keep the moisture level reasonable (and also a significant investment in shade cloth, since my yard is oriented east-west, getting a lot of sun all day). I am able to grow quite a few species outside that come from higher elevations in tropical latitudes. Again, the main things that I have to add are shade and water to give them enough of what they get "at home" to adapt and survive or even thrive.

[bil]

One thing I would say about keeping any orchid is this. If you give the the right cnditions that THEY want, they will grow well.
However, the more you try and bend them to your convenience, the less likely they are to do well.

In the old zoos, there were lots of animals that used to be labelled 'Cannot be bred in captivity."
When they started giving them the diet and conditions they used to have in the wild, it became impossible to stop them breeding.

[AnonYMouse]

Alid,

How easy is it to cross the border? You got me curious and I looked it up. You can visit and photograph the gokusingii in its habitat. They are found on Mount Kinabalu, just a few hours ferry ride/drive!

---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:55 PM ----------

And merrillianum can be found there, too.

[alidmisli]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Alid,

How easy is it to cross the border? You got me curious and I looked it up. You can visit and photograph the gokusingii in its habitat. They are found on Mount Kinabalu, just a few hours ferry ride/drive!

---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:55 PM ----------

And merrillianum can be found there, too.

As most of you recomend is to get the condition mimic their natural environment. Got it!

Its very much easy.. Bruneian love crossing border;we can go by road, sea ferries and by air. Prety much is cheaper to buy things in Malaysia or use their airport to fly over to other countries!

From the city (Bandar Seri Begawan) will take you around 4-6 hrs to reach mount Kinabalu. but, if you are in Brunei's exclave district (Temburong district), it only takes you around 3-4 hrs by road.

The fastest is using airplane. Only takes 20 mins in the air.

In brunei, the customs regulation, export - imports are strict. this includes getting plants over to Brunei. Having said that its not impossible.

[Roberta]

Since they are close (in Malaysia), you should definitely check out Ooi Leng Sun (aaorchids.com) or another reputable vendor - if you make an order, they are the ones who deal with the paperwork (they do it for a living) - if they come to Brunei for a show or other reason, they can just bring the plants, handle the import complications, and either you pick them up or they mail within the country, which is, of course, uncomplicated.