Starter Orchids

[Chlorophile]

I doubt my humidity is over 40%, at least in the Winter. In the Summer I bet it hovers around 50%. Masdevallia do look very interesting, I worry that I wouldn't be able to keep them cool enough though. Sounds to me like my current living situation just isn't really set up for orchids other than phals or paphs.

[AnonYMouse]

Can you move the shelf nearer the south window? Or get one of those wire shelves?

[Leafmite]

I also wondered if you might be able to move the shelf, attach a light to the shelf, or set something up near the window. Ten feet is pretty far from a light source for most blooming plants.

What I would recommend is that before you go, write down your conditions (humidity, light, winter/summer-night/day temperatures) and, when you get there, have the vendors help you select plants that will grow in these conditions. I did that last year when I needed a few orchids for my terrarium and the orchids are easily thriving. The vendors often know the exact orchids that will work perfectly.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Chlorophile

I can't really put anything on the window sill. The N. window I can put a few plants on the sill.

Extra Curtain rod + small hanging pots= space saving dream. Plus it will look cool. Take it from someone who hasn’t lived in anything larger than 700sqft since I was 18, (currently in 580 sqft, though I do have a small patch of outdoor space) I have plants hanging everywhere. If you rent, you can ask about it first or just do it and patch up the small holes when you leave. That way you can save your floor space and not have to worry about narrow window sills or using the window. I also use a whole bunch of those ceiling hooks to take advantage of those spots with prime lighting, but they leave a much larger hole than curtain rod brackets. If you are thinking about doing this, just keep in mind the size/weight of the plants for obvious reasons

[camille1585]

Is there any way you can move that shelf closer to the window, or add some grow lights, or install a stand closer to the window? 10ft away is getting close to complete darkness for plants.

Otherwise Phals should do OK, and also Paphs. Avoid the strap-leaf Paphs though, those need higher light (strap-leaf = long, narrow and plain green leaves.) If you get any of the mottled leaf types the low light will be fine for them. Not sure about Oncidums, back when I was growing on a north facing window sill the Oncs didn't bloom very well there.

Originally Posted by Roberta

Mini-Catts. Many of them bloom more than once a year, and don't take up a lot of space, tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, not particular about humidity. And often have brilliant colors - red, yellow, orange, some splash petals. They're bred for windowsill growing.

Given the OP's pretty low light conditions, I don't think Catts will bloom without a lot of supplemental light...

[Subrosa]

If you have room to hang a basket in a window, any one of many Gongora species would make quite a show.

[Chlorophile]

Unfortunately, I can't really move anything closer to the windows. One window has the wall unit A/C directly underneath and the other window has the radiator.

Hanging something in front of the windows is a good idea. Per my lease agreement I am now allowed to make any holes or other marks in the walls but maybe I could use some of those command hooks? I don't think an orchid in a plastic pot would weight that much. I may do that with the M. tenuifolia, or maybe keep it outside during the Summer.

I think paphs are where it's at for now until I can guarantee some better light. I'll bring a list with me to the orchid show and talk to the vendors.