Hello all! (PS...any suggestions for lower light orchid genera?)

[Joshaeus]

I am a young man from Maine who has recently taken an interest in orchids after running into consistent problems with my prior hobby, fish keeping (most of the fish are still doing fine, they just won't breed! Decided I need a break from that hobby before I go mad). Anyhow, I...basically like almost all orchids, so making a choice on which to go for is going to be difficult. One limiting factor, though, it the lighting.

I happen to have a south-facing window: however, much of it is obscured by a nearby bush. Although my room is still quite bright, it seems to be at about 1500-2000 foot candles judging from some shadow tests (I get a faint, very fuzzy shadow when I hold my hand halfway between the window and whatever surface in the room I am testing). Obviously phaelenopsis would do well in these conditions (in fact, I had one a year ago and it was doing well, but I managed to kill it with overwatering ), but are there any other orchid genera that would do well with lower lighting? I am in the basement, so I could potentially work with almost any orchid temperature group (my floor seldom gets above the mid 60's! Not sure about summer...while I'm at it, how do you keep orchids cool in summer? Evaporative cooling perhaps?)

[wintergirl]

Welcome to OrchidBoard . Since you only had one phal why don't you try it again? Just pick one up from Lowes or some other sort of place for a cheap price. Learn how to care for one of them and it won't cost you much. There are some really cute ones out there and the mini's are nice for taking less room.

Here is a link for phals for new orchid owners: The Phal abuse ends here.

[PaphMadMan]

Welcome. Most Paphiopedilum Maudiae-type hybrids and related species will do fine in that level of light, even out of the brightest light.

[Joshaeus]

Definitely gonna try phaelanopsis again...however, I would love additional options for after I get a handle on that genus (would Dracula work?)

[rbarata]

Why won't you try a phap? Draculas are very demanding in their conditions, temps and humidity...unless you can provide them cool temps and high humidity.

[cjm3fl]

Big time welcome!

I'm pretty sure Phal's will take different levels of light.
Mine are either getting bright reflected light, or direct morning (Florida) sun then Oak tree shade mid-day.
But I've had some do OK in fairly low light levels.

I have Brassi that are getting really bright mid-day light and the Maxillaria I have is sitting in direct sun most of the late morning till sunset and it's FLOWERING more blooms then ever.
I don't believe/think most from these families would work.
Got them from Home Depo. Those one in the white plastic netting.

There are lots that will work for you.
There are also a number that won't do all that great.



What kind of fish?
That was also a hobby of mine and I did a bit of breeding, but not for commercial sale. Just trade and little selling to folks on the forums I was member of.

[Joshaeus]

The fish I tried were Aphyosemion striatum killifish and Micropoecillia picta swamp guppies. The former never so much as layed a single egg (or, failing that, ate any eggs they did lay immediately), while the latter did breed but never did so consistently irregardless of what I did. Now I only have the male A. striatum, and the remaining swamp guppies are sharing a tank with three aging white cloud minnows.

Anyhow...what is a phap? Are they one of the lady slippers?

[estación seca]

Welcome, Joshaeus!

I have some Dendrochilum that are growing well beside some Phals. There are small ones and large ones.

[Joshaeus]

Hmm....getting conflicting reports online whether that genus handles phaelenopsis esque lighting well. Are just certain species thriving in that lighting, or does that genus in general handle 'low' light well?

[PaphLover]