The best beginner orchid depends a lot on how you care for them and your conditions where you are planning to grow it. Phals aren't the best to start with, because they can be hard for beginning orchid hobbyists to leave alone and they like to be left alone.
For me, it was Oncidiums. My first reblooms were oncidiums. They are forgiving if you forget to water them regularly, they're fragrant and man those leaves! What great plants! There are some cattleyas that would be good to start with too.
I think the thing to do, is to go to Trader Joe's if you have one nearby. You can get a variety of types of orchids there for really cheap. If you feel like experimenting, you can just see what they have that you like the look of, and then look up how to grow it. It's a great way to start a collection and find your passion.
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