Need Some New Orchids, What Should I Get?

[Dollythehun]

Sharry Baby gets huge. I love Tolumnias (Hausermann's has a lot) and I also like Howerea "Molten Lava" it's tiny but, colorful. You cannot go wrong with Twinkles and there are a few different kinds available. But, again, there is your light issue.

[SundayGardener]

If you want small, I vote Twinkle and Tolumnia. Now I just got my first twinkle myself, but it has been on The List for a long time. Other people shopping alongside me said how easy Twinkles are. I've had a Tolumnia for a few months now and I'd like to get more, and do a grouping. With both, the blooms are really small. The plants stay small and the tolumnia has been fuss free for me. I think as the Twinkles grow out, they can be pretty showy.

[Paul]

Sharry Baby wants LOTS of sun. Particularly over the summer, that is one I would put outside and acclimate/harden off until it is get full sun for a good portion of the day (plan in watering much more heavily in that event). It also can be a rather heavy feeder when in active growth. A number of folks swear by watering with Epsom salts (1 tablespoon/gal) for a couple waterings in the summer/early fall.

As far as plants getting too big, that is when one then divides them and either trades, sells, or donates the divisions keeping only a much smaller portion to start over with anew.

Ludisia does tend to be a scrambler. As sections get too long it can be cut back, sections redirected or rerooted in the pot for a fuller looking plant, or put in hanging basket.

Many folks do hang plants in their windows or install a set of shelves in the window area to increase growing space. Can't recall if it was your windows I recall seeing on a different post (if so was unable to find it again) but if it was, it did appear that you would be able to do something along those lines should you be interested in doing so. Just a thought.

[CourtneyT]

I have always wanted to grow a Miltonia but I did hear from many resources that it's pretty hard to grow well. At least not as easy as an Oncidium. I would recommend you check into the varieties of Dendrobium. When I first attended an orchid show in San Francisco in early 2015, I was overwhelmed by the choices there! At last I bought two, Dendrobium Hancockii (mounted) and Dendrobium Spectabile. They lived by the south facing window in their first two years and by the north facing window under light in the past one year. They are still doing very well. I realized that they are really hardy! I believe that it's very likely for you to find small size Dendrobium in the show.

[Dollythehun]

This is the third of the series to bloom. Twinkle "Fragrance Fantasy."

[Leafmite]

I like small and fragrant orchids, too, and I try to have orchids that bloom often. Why waste space?

If you don't mind setting up a terrarium (a jar will do), a Haraella rectrocalla is small, fragrant, blooms often, and easy to grow (I keep the mount sitting in water and let the mount wick water to the roots).

Cattleya aclandiae is small and has long-lasting, wonderfully fragrant blooms. Some of the newer ones have been bred to be in bloom more than twice a year.

Burr Nelly Isler This is in the Oncidium family so size is an issue but the flowers are worth it. It blooms multiple times a year and the flowers last a long time and are fragrant.

[orchidsarefun]

People are as weird as.....orchids. I've done a lot of selling and fragrance is a selling point. And it's not. Whenever someone says they are "allergic" to fragrance I always ask if they like scented candles, oils or other sprays. 80 % of the time they do and use them. To me those fragrances are more lasting and pervasive than any natural orchid fragrance and truly 'stinky'

[Leafmite]

I am one of those for whom fragrance is often a selling point as long as it is combined with frequent blooming and smaller size.