When Do You Decide to Rehome an Orchid?

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Phalaenopsis are a group of orchids that do require a seasonal change in temperature to bloom. If you are intent on growing Phalaenopsis, but are limited in space, why not try something like Phalaenopsis bellina, Phalaenopsis violacea, or Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi? They are much smaller than the hybrids out there, but are bigger than mini-Phals. Phalaenopsis pulcherrhima is a smaller species of Phalaenopsis that the majority of mini-Phal hybrids get part of their heritage from. Maybe Phalaenopsis (Kingidium) chibae, Phalaenopsis (Kingidium) deliciosa, Phalaenopsis lobbii, or Phalaenopsis parishii might be easier to accommodate by way of size.

Thank you for these Phalaenopsis suggestions. Most of them are ones I am attracted to, but I had heard that they are a bit more "fussy" than the hybrids. I am a bit puzzled, though, how two of my Phals did rebloom here without temperature changes.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

With Jewel Orchids, you are not even limited to space. You can set up a small terrarium or mini-greenhouse for them pretty much anywhere in your house.

No, I really can't. That's what I've been trying to explain. There is no more space in my house. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I promise I'm not exaggerating. It stresses me out each and every day.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I highly recommend you make another post asking for suggestions on orchids that fit your growing style instead of sticking to this one. I think you've already been told all you can be told regarding your current batch of orchids so far.

You're right, I do want to do that. I will wait until next week since many of our members may have holiday plans and won't be hanging around the OB.

Thank you, Philip. I really do appreciate all the suggestions. I will definitely look into culture requirements for the other genera you mentioned.

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

Originally Posted by shadytrake

......And of course as an AOS Associate Judge, please become a member of your local society and the American Orchid Society......

Shadytrake, thank you for all of that great information and the link, which I will be checking out. In answer to the above, I have been a member of my local orchid society for about two years now. I know it would be beneficial to join AOS, too, and I will.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

No, I really can't. That's what I've been trying to explain. There is no more space in my house. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I promise I'm not exaggerating. It stresses me out each and every day.

Don’t be embarrassed! I get what you are saying about the space issue. I live in a 200 year old 580sqft 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 closet, shoebox size place with a husband, 2 cats and my little snake, Jim. I have zero space indoors for my collection (I don’t even have room for a tv or a coffee table, it’s so tiny) so everything is outdoors in my small courtyard all year, even when things are blooming. I might be able to squeeze in a little nano cube somewhere, but even that’s pushing it At least phals are doing well for you and nothing is declining! Some of these suggestions about other low light orchids and possibly sticking the Cattleyas outside, bugs be dammed, might be worth kicking around

[Dollythehun]

Forget the cymbidium suggestion. Cheri is further north than we are.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Those species are not much fussier than a hybrid. Don't knock it until you've actually tried it. In fact, they'll probably come in looking much better than many of the store bought hybrids. The hardier one out of the bunch I mentioned is Phal cornu-cervi. Phal cornu-cervi also has a "secret" I will let you discover on your own. You won't have a difficult time finding out what that surprise is if you do a search on the OB alone. You'll find out pretty easily by doing a general internet search as well.

Although, I will say that Phal bellina is something of a fun one too... If you do a search, you might find out why I'm saying such things...

The Phals may have re-bloomed because of a temperature change that may not have been noticed, or they had breeding with Phals that can repeat bloom from the same spike.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Just thought of a pretty easy Phal to grow that stays small and is a plant that is used heavily in the use of hybridization to produce mini Phals...Phalaenopsis equestris. If you grow this species, you virtually cannot tell the difference between growing a species or a hybrid.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by SaraJean

Don’t be embarrassed! I get what you are saying about the space issue. I live in a 200 year old 580sqft 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 closet, shoebox size place with a husband, 2 cats and my little snake, Jim......

SaraJean, you definitely have me beat -- or should I say I have you beat, lol. My house is somewhat larger than yours. In my case, it's me and my husband and two large dogs. I appreciate your post. Sometimes, when we face a challenging situation, it's just nice to know we're not alone.

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Those species are not much fussier than a hybrid. Don't knock it until you've actually tried it. In fact, they'll probably come in looking much better than many of the store bought hybrids. The hardier one out of the bunch I mentioned is Phal cornu-cervi. Phal cornu-cervi also has a "secret" I will let you discover on your own. You won't have a difficult time finding out what that surprise is if you do a search on the OB alone. You'll find out pretty easily by doing a general internet search as well.

Although, I will say that Phal bellina is something of a fun one too... If you do a search, you might find out why I'm saying such things...

The Phals may have re-bloomed because of a temperature change that may not have been noticed, or they had breeding with Phals that can repeat bloom from the same spike.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Just thought of a pretty easy Phal to grow that stays small and is a plant that is used heavily in the use of hybridization to produce mini Phals...Phalaenopsis equestris. If you grow this species, you virtually cannot tell the difference between growing a species or a hybrid.

Hmm, plants that are fun and have secrets! They sound interesting, and I will be following up with more questions. I believe the Phal. cornu-cervi and the Phal. bellina are fragrant. I would really love to have some fragrance in my collection.

[Leafmite]

Re-homing. Our small house has never allowed much space for my plants and when I got very into orchids, I actually gave away most of my other beloved plants to make room for them. Then, a few years ago, I realized that I really missed the other plants so, over time, I re-homed most of the orchid collection and replaced them with smaller orchids (and less orchids). This has allowed enough space for the other plants I feel should be a part of my life.

Good luck with your collecting and whatever decisions you make.