Bc. Mount Hood "Mary" - why "no" for windowsill growing?

[JFeathersmith]

I don't know a lot about cattleyas, but when I was innocently browsing Carter and Holmes, I got really intrigued by this one, because of the name, and because it looks pretty stunning, which is appropriate for a plant named for that mountain, and now I kind of want it. (I live in Portland, Oregon, so when the sky's clear to the east - ha ha - I get a great view on my commute.)

But the info on their page has a "No" next to the line for growing on windowsill/under lights, which is how I'm growing all my orchids.

It says it needs bright indirect light, so what's with "no" for a windowsill kind of situation?

[JFeathersmith]

Well, I have a bunch of other houseplants that take up more room than that catt would, though they're not sitting ON a windowsill, just as close to a window as I can get them. I also just bought two plant lights, so the main houseplant corner won't suffer too much through our long dim winter.

[Whimgrinder]

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[Leafmite]

I do not understand why they don't recommend it in a window or under lights. It only gets fifteen to eighteen inches tall which is not too bad. You might wish to ask them. I would also ask how long these are in bloom and how many times a year you can expect blooms. When you have limited space, the eight/ten inch pots can take up quite a bit of space fast. :|

---------- Post added at 10:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 PM ----------

Wow. I just saw your post. I read fifteen inches. Ha ha. Three feet makes quite a bit of difference!

[JFeathersmith]

Three feet, LOL, oh dear . . . that's a good bit bigger than the 15-18" I saw listed!

I do have a couple houseplants that tall (a ficus - getting taller! - and a pot of sansevieria) and some others that will someday get that tall, or taller, and they've been doing okay with bright indirect light, buuut.

I'm not really interested in cattleyas generally, I just wanted to find out what was the deal with the "no," and if it might actually be possible to grow this specific one in a house/apartment, either under lights or -near- a bright window if not right on the windowsill! Most of my "windowsill" orchids aren't directly on a windowsill, they're just close by a window.

Ah well.

[Leafmite]

Many Cattleyas take a little more light. Gold Country Orchids, however, is doing some breeding for Cattleyas that are perfect for the typical windowsill.

You can grow anything indoors if you are determined. I have a four foot Theobroma cacao that actually blooms (but I think I would need another for successful pollination) and a cinnamon tree nearly the same height.

[stonedragonfarms]

This one is a monster (PDX here too ); it's a mash-up of a bunch of standard size cattleya/laelias in it's genetic background. That being said, are you able to put any of your plants outside for the season? I don't know that I would try this one in the window (unless you can devote a south facing bay to it), but I think you could manage it outdoors from late spring to mid autumn and then indoors under lights for the winter--that is if you are hellbent on growing it... On the flip side, what Leafmite says is true, though I'd throw Sunset Valley Orchids, Diamond Orchids and New Earth Orchids into the mix as well--all have great plants that are very successful on the windowsill and under lights (an added bonus is that you won't have to pay Carter & Holmes' ridiculous postage and handling fees...)
Good luck and let us know how it goes,
Adam

[JFeathersmith]

I have space outside I can use, yeah, a mix of shaded and sunny areas. I rent, but I have a garden bed and some potted outdoor plants. I never got around to putting any of my houseplants outside last summer, but it's been a consideration.

ETA: If I go for it, it will be kind of a hilarious change; I've been mostly drawn to small and miniature orchids.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Whimgrinder

BC. Mount Hood 'Mary' is huge. It will make growths three feet tall. Not many windowsills can accommodate such a massive plant.

O! M! G! Wow.

[InspirChid1712]

"No" for the windowsill?!?!?! BAH!!!!

I have cattleyas that are absolutely massive, and have always been able to grow/bloom them in windows just fine! I can't say their size hasn't always been non-problematic..............! But, I believe, if you like the plant, you'll find a way to give it the conditions that it likes! Get creative with plant arranging in the winter so everybody gets the light they require (some more, some less).

One catt that I have in particular (also in need of repotting!) is AT LEAST 3' across when in bloom and is a tremendous beast of a plant. When I took it to my local orchid society for show, I got some puzzled looks as to why I was placing it on the "windowsill-grown" table. But, thats where it grows and blooms just fine!!

Just give it a whirl and buy the plant if you have a good southern exposure! It can be done! :-D