Hi from Portland,OR. New to Orchids

[lisawysong]

Hi, It's So nice to meet you all.
I have been into planted fish tanks for years and thought it was time for a new obsesion.
For some reason, I would always find my self in the Orchid section of the garden store. Funny, I could never remember how I got there. I suspect orchid abduction???
Now I am completely hooked.
My collection is small at the moment, consisting of two unknown Phals. One rescued from the grocery store and another from a garage sale and a Neo. Falcata X Darwinara Rainbow stars. I am saving up for my next orchid. Any suggestions as to what I might try next?

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome, Lisa! Yes, orchids are scary like that. First we get "abducted" and find ourselves mysteriously in the orchid section of the stores, or at a greenhouse, or at an orchid show, then we get "addicted."

[fooferdoggie]

I want nice smelly orchids and they are hard to find here in portland. portland nursery is hit and miss thought the plants are nice and healthy.. so I end up buying online a much better selection. so many plants to close from. got a couple Maxillaria Tenuifolia hanging in my little peach tree. they seem pretty happy outside.

[Optimist]

Portland is nice and misty and mostly cool, some Bulbophyllums, or masdevallias might be perfect. (My mother lived across Jansen (?) island in Vancouver, WA.) I am also a fan of planted tanks. I have a 75 gallon tank with lots of anubius and buce. My latest triumph was some white anubius nana-- very slow growing. It takes about 4 months to double. You have Seattle Orchid near to you. How lucky you are. Also some great aquarium stores!

[fooferdoggie]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Portland is nice and misty and mostly cool,

really it is almost 90 degrees today and 45% humidity. now in fall and winter yes. all my indoor orchids in moss and bark mounts dry out every day or so.

[lisawysong]

Yea Portland has turned into an almost Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cold wet winters. Our hot dry summers only last about two and a half months though.

[Optimist]

I was there a while ago. I guess the weather has changed up there!

[Orchid Whisperer]

If you have a Lowes or similar big box home improvement store, they often get orchids-in-a-bag sold under the brand name Better Gro. Some people refer to these bagged orchids as "bag babies". When these first arrive in the store (first month or two) they are often healthy plants at a bargain price.

I would make decisions about what to buy based on the growing conditions you can provide. Do you live in an apartment that mostly gets indirect light from a north window? Avoid Vandas and Brassavolas, stick with shade-loving plants like Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, and Ludisia discolor.

[fooferdoggie]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

If you have a Lowes or similar big box home improvement store, they often get orchids-in-a-bag sold under the brand name Better Gro. Some people refer to these bagged orchids as "bag babies". When these first arrive in the store (first month or two) they are often healthy plants at a bargain price.

so far here I only see pals. trader joes have a few other selections but mostly phals. and they are on the more expensive end but they are usually in bark not moss.

---------- Post added at 06:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Optimist

I was there a while ago. I guess the weather has changed up there!

come back it is supposed t one over 100 here this week (G)

[estación seca]

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