Purchasing first orchid - Cheap Vs Quality

[dangerouseddy]

well Morrison's, asda, b&q plus others sell phals and some other types most are in bark afaik.

bought a white phal for £5 yesterday from morrisons, you cant go wrong at those prices.

[Sylphire]

I just thought I'd add I will be keeping my plants in a greenhouse.

I have to admit, I've always been a little dubious about purchasing plants from supermarkets but places that have dedicated gardening sections is where I would be more inclined to go.

I have to pick up supplies to do some cementing this weekend so I might check out B&Q or Homebase.

[dangerouseddy]

do you want to use it for your orchids over the winter?

also depending on the orchids you'll need some shade cloth.

its rather tricky getting a greenhouse up and running year round for orchids in the uk depending on the type of orchids you want to keep.

you might want to go for cooler growers if your going to keep them in the greenhouse over winter, then you have the problem of keeping them cool during the summer.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by Sylphire

I just thought I'd add I will be keeping my plants in a greenhouse.

Well, now, that puts a whole new spin on it.

[Sylphire]

I always put a spanner in the works.

Insulation is being installed along with heating for the winter but I won't know what temperatures I can easily keep it at until it starts to get cold.

The greenhouse is going to be situated in a spot that is semi-shaded although I admit I never considered it getting too warm.

Am I correct in thinking Phals like 20-25 degrees celsius? I think that stuck in my mind as it's the same range my chili's like.

[dangerouseddy]

yes they should be ok at those temps afaik

[estación seca]

Phals grow at 20-25, but would really like it even warmer. The warmer it is, the faster they grow. Mine don't mind upper 30s at all, so long as air circulation and watering are OK, and humidity above perhaps 50%.

[Sylphire]

Humidity has certainly not been an issue here. London has been between 60-80 for the past few months.

So, from what I'm hearing; go with Phals and keep indoors perhaps until I establish the greenhouse environment?

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Sylphire

So, from what I'm hearing; go with Phals and keep indoors perhaps until I establish the greenhouse environment?

That is up to you. If your outdoor temps are within an acceptable range and you have a shaded spot (direct midday sun is usually too strong and so should be avoided) outside, then you could put a non-bloomiing plant outdoors for the summer.

[AnonYMouse]

But what do YOU want?

Supermarket Phals, garden center Dendrobiums, other-worldly Bulbos, newly discovered Pleuros? Some are easier than others, some are difficult to provide for, then some are inexplicably tetchy.

What do you like? What can you grow? What is available?