Hello, and suggestions needed for xeric species

[Susan-from-Idaho]

Hi Orchid-friends,
I am an experienced home grower who quit orchids after when I moved from Oregon to the cold windy desert of SW Idaho.
Shortly after moving my collection ,my greenhouse blew down, and my plants were scattered throughout the northern edge of the Great Basin.

After about 10 years hiatus from orchid growing, I've managed to bloom a few super-market intergeneric Oncids, and an untagged unifoliate Cattleya, which had been discarded after blooming.
To my surprise, these plants are looking pretty good, just on my kitchen windowsill.

I am tempted to try a few species.

My growing environment is challenging:
Very Hot and dry during summer
Cold and dry during winter
Very Low humidity
and My water is unspeakably alkaline, so I haul water for my plants.

I'm interested in species (esp Mexican and other new world sorts) that grow in very bright, relatively xeric conditions.

I've kicked off my born-again orchid collection with the following:
Brassavola nodosa
B. cucullata
Laelia anceps
L. gouldiana

Any suggestions for other low-humidity tolerant orchids enthusiastically welcomed.

Its nice to be back.

Susan

[CTB]

Welcome back. Nice choices for a start. I think you have a good start and probably should stay with those families till you see how they are really going to do. I have three of those and live in Florida with lots of humidity, and they do great.

[krystle]

well i live in colorado and i have the same type of weather and i have a Cattleya AMETHYSTOGLOSSA i would try that one or a Dendrobium KINGIANUM i seem to have good luck with both tho they are still too small to bloom!

[Becca]

Hi Susan! Welcome to the OB! Where in Idaho are you? I would recommend any Cattleya alliance orchids, dendrobiums, and phals. And also what about growing Bletilla striata outside?

[Susan-from-Idaho]

Hi Becca,
I'm in SW Idaho at the north edge of the Owyhee desert.

[trdyl]

Hello Susan and Welcome to OB!

In addition to Becca's suggestions Neostylis, Sarcochilis and a Vanda tessellata is also doing well for me up here.

[RosieC]

Welconme to Orchid Board

I'm afraid I can't help with what works in your conditions but hopefully you'll get lots of good tips and get stuck back in to Orchid growing. We have a lot of enablers here so I'm sure they will be able to help you find something you can grow

[Susan-from-Idaho]

The recovering orchid addict is only ONE PLANT away from being wholly swallowed by the addiction.

Thanks all, for the suggestions and the warm welcome.

[trdyl]

Recovering??? No one ever fully recovers. Are you in a denial phase?

[Susan-from-Idaho]

I cant quit any time I want to.