ah crap, I think I'm addicted

[MattWoelfsen]

Vanda Lover, I would try http://www.florapeculia.ca

[diego_p]

Originally Posted by lotis146

Funny how addiction related threads just blow up. LOL.

I am no doubt a member in this camp. I went from 4-5 to 50+ in less than a year. Watch out for eBay - I've had mostly great experiences - because you'll find a little bit of all kinds of awesome. I don't dare you to search orchid plants on there, you'll be all day and find yourself with a list of well, far too many shoes to buy her.

Are you asking for general suggestions or trying to stick to a certain species? Are you mostly concerned with flowers and don't care too much about the overall look of the plant? Or do you care a little bit about it all? (For example, I don't exactly like the big Catts in terms of plant but their flowers are unbeatable, nonetheless they're too much for me.)

I don't have a greenhouse but I have a lot of plants. I keep them on shelves of a small "greenhouse" kit from Big Lots while others sit on 3' high by 2.5 long from Lowes (if I remember). I've got some hanging, some on windowsills (well that's changing because I worry about the cold coming from the glass). All in all though I'm still working things out. Hey, if it's possible for you and you haven't already, you could always win her over with the plan to finish the basement (and have part be a grow room. Then in the summers you can decorate your yard/porch/deck with your beautiful plants (they'll thank you for it.) If you can get her hooked then no more convincing is needed, just be prepared to have to find a way to share space if she wants different orchids!

As it is right now, I don't care what kind of orchids I get because I'm still learning. Know what I mean? I used to have a few phalaenopsis orchids that were rescued from Walmart, and they were doing great, growing new roots and leaves. . . Until I made the mistake of wanting to give them some bright natural light. Needless to say, I currently don't have any phalaenopsis orchids, but I know now what to do and what not to do.
I'm really interested in just about every orchid there is. So I figured I'd go for as many as I can and then weed them out until I'm left with the ones I know I can provide the proper care for.

I wish I had a basement, almost as much as a greenhouse. Unfortunately someone rents the basement where we live. My wife will learn to like the orchids. Our daughters really like them and now can't wait to see them flower. I've already explained to them how they 'hibernate' then come out when spring and summer come around. So I got a couple of helpers, lol.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Vanda Lover, I would try Neofinetia falcata

Thank you. I have looked that their site and although most of their prices are way out of my range, there are a few lower priced ones. I just have to look them up to see what they look like. I want something colourful.

[diego_p]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

I don't have a greenhouse either. I wonder how costly it would be to heat. I wish I did have one. I had my dear husband make me a shelf and I do have allot of windows so I have allot of light.

But I have to bring them all to the kitchen sink to water so it is getting allot of work watering them all. I really need to stop buying more. I just got 3 more....ok officially nuts now.

I know what you mean. I have my orchids on a table by the window as well. And I too have to take them to the sink to water. Perhaps there's a better way.

[Vanda lover]

Mine are all on windowsills and tables as well. I can barely fit my vanda baskets in the sink to water them and will soon need to switch to the bath tub. For the smaller plants I load them into a big litter pan to carry them to the sink.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I just carry 2 at a time unless they are the big ones, to the sink, hahaha I call it part of my exercise plan.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

Ebay isn't much of a temptation to Canadians who want to buy orchids. There are no Canadian sellers and very few American ones who ship to Canada. If they do ship, no one can afford it. I have bought a couple from other countries which I suppose is risky but I had good luck with them.

Oh dear, well that's no good! Or maybe it's good cuz you'll save some cash staying away from ebay!

Originally Posted by diego_p

As it is right now, I don't care what kind of orchids I get because I'm still learning. Know what I mean? I used to have a few phalaenopsis orchids that were rescued from Walmart, and they were doing great, growing new roots and leaves. . . Until I made the mistake of wanting to give them some bright natural light. Needless to say, I currently don't have any phalaenopsis orchids, but I know now what to do and what not to do.
I'm really interested in just about every orchid there is. So I figured I'd go for as many as I can and then weed them out until I'm left with the ones I know I can provide the proper care for.

I wish I had a basement, almost as much as a greenhouse. Unfortunately someone rents the basement where we live. My wife will learn to like the orchids. Our daughters really like them and now can't wait to see them flower. I've already explained to them how they 'hibernate' then come out when spring and summer come around. So I got a couple of helpers, lol.

Well...you're in trouble!

I guess then start asking yourself how much light you can provide or shade; how much room you have in these lighted areas; how often are you willing to water.

I have one multifloral paph (lebaudyanum) and I LOVE IT. I recently learned that the multifloral like brighter light but Paphs still like to stay moist watering several times a week in the warmer months. So yeah, check out some multiflorals, I do recommend the one I have. Oh yeah, and some Paphs have mottled (?) leaves (they're not all plain) which makes them really pretty still even when not in flower. I love those guys, have quite a few myself.

Do you have color preferences? Or are you in the "everything's awesome" category there to?

I have to suggest a Zygopetalum hybrid (Zygonisia, Zygotoria, Zygolum, etc) for sure. Just watch out, some of them can be tall but also fragrant. There are TONS of Oncidiums of so many colors...really I recommend browsing ebay even if you don't want to buy from ebay, there are so many different plants listed that the pictures should give you ideas for what may strike your fancy. Or just google the various hybrid genera for images and take your search from there.

I've found that it's not so cut and dry to ask for suggestions - no offense everybody! - because there's literally thousands of hybrids out there. What you'll find in this addiction, IMHO, is that just when you think you've found the bestest, most beautifullest, greatest orchid of all time somebody here or Flicker, or Slippertalk, or....... .... ... .. will post a picture that'll sell you on ONE MORE...

God forbid you visit a show, an exhibition, a club meeting, or your local greenhouse. Which, btw, I recommend you do the latter ASAP and see thousands in person. Visiting Hausermann's for me was helpful in that I learned I didn't want the big flowered Catts after all because their plants are really big and well I just don't fawn over them. Oh and definitely go after some minis! In no time you'll start to favor some more than others (my Catts HATE me right now and winter is teaching me for real how important humidity is).

[RandomGemini]

Oh wow... yeah DON'T go to a show! I went to the local orchid show and sale this year and bought like 10 plants. My husband SUPPORTED me in this by attending with me and encouraging me to buy at least half of what I purchased.

Seriously though, DO go to a show because you will see more variety at a show and get the best idea of what plants look like and how to grow them where you live from vendors that are close to you, that may or may not sell orchids online.

[Vanda lover]

Orchid shows are a lot of fun. We only have one a year near us, so I really look forward to it every year.

[diego_p]

I can't wait to go to an orchid show. The closest one to me is in Minneapolis. I don't know how often they are put on, but I will end up going to one some day. Then there's orchids limited (orchidweb.com) I've been there a couple times. The first, I bought a dendrobium kingianum, a phalaenopsis schilleriana, and a Stanhopea nigroviolacea seedling. The second time I got the brassavola nodosa that started my cattleya fascination.
I really, really want to go back to get so much more. But, I need to time myself. self control.