With a lot of great advice from people in this board I feel like I have my setup dialed in. Thanks all for the guidance on plant selecting, watering, fertilization, and a bunch of other stuff.
One last call for suggestions. What should I put on the "floor" of the orchidarium? These plants will get pretty wet (misting system twice a day) and receive very high light (cattleya level). Id like the plants not to be too tall as not to block the view of the hanging plants in the back.
Right now I have a anagraecum dideri I didn't want to mount (read disturbing the roots should be avoided at all costs). Also have a restrepia mendozae
All ideas welcomed. Thanks in advance!
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Maybe something in the miniature Vandaceous group, like Ascocentrum? (Should be able to handle the light...) If bare root the "wet" part should be manageable. Or Barkeria? Again, bare-root. I have a Bark. Marsh Melton (B. melanocaulon x whartoniana) that stays small, and is also pretty bullet-proof, blooms 2 or 3 times a year.
Had another thought... how about Mediocalcar decoratum? I'd consider its light requirement more "medium" than "high" but having moved mine from shade/bright shade to more like "dappled sun", it bloomed much better. Just drape it over a net pot and let it ramble - with all the moisture, probably no medium necessary.
I have a Vandopsis (Phal. buysonniana x Vanda garayi)
-yellow flower and a Vanda 'Little One' ( Vandopsis parishii x Sedirea japonica) (Phal looking plant w/spotted flowers and very fragrant).
Both would meet your criteria even though you'd think the latter would not....I grow as a vanda and it is thriving putting out 2 spikes every year.
all great suggestions....i would add that you can look at the more compact growing catt types too. many have multiple smaller blooms on a spike but keep a smaller posture height wise...i have a few whose names i am blanking on right now..i'll update this post with the names.
they can grow to great size in a shallow 4" terra cotta blub pan
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All the ways I grow are dictated by the choices I have made and the environment in which I live. Please listen and act accordingly
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Rooted in South Florida....
you can always go to the andy's orchids website and use the power search feature. You can def search for orchids that require bright light and daily watering.