Buying my first orchid help

[Reg Isterme]

Hello...

I haven't owned an orchid before, but I've been doing some reading-up and am just about ready to buy - I'm thinking of either a Cattleya, or Phalaenopsis to begin with (a lot of people seem to find them popular as 'starter plants')...

What advice do you recommend about buying a plant... online or from a local garden center? Is eBay a good place to buy from? What do I have to look out for? Any and all advice/tips would be greatly welcome

Thanks, Reg.

[Ross]

Welcome to the board and welcome to the darkside First there's one, then two, then...

I recommend the Phal if your temps aren't too cool. If your temps are pretty cool I would go with a Cat. I recommend buying locally until you are very comfortable with orchids in general, then you can go on-line. Just my

[Royal]

As well as temperature, you may want to consider the growing conditions you are able to provide. Phals will thrive in lower light, while Catts require higher light to do well. My advice - get both! I'm sure you'll do fine with either, but it'll save you the second trip to the greenhouse (there WILL be a second trip ) !

You found this board, so you're already doing great! Welcome.

[cowboy51278]

I think the best advice I had when I started with orchids was to go to my local orchid society's meetings. you can talk to people who are growing in your area as well as meet some local commercial growers who would probably be happy for you to come down to the greenhouse and let you crawl around and see what you like. Just remember, take cash only and give yourself a budget. Leave the credit card at home, because you'll want to buy the place out! Also a lot of the orchid societys do plant raffles every month or people there will have plants for sale. My first meeting I came home with 3 free plants.

[OOAJ]

I'm a new grower myself, and I think the earlier posts are right on. The biggest thing is to determine how much light you have, if less, then go Phal, if more try a Cat.

The other thing to consider is do you want a special species or type that you can identify, or are you just looking for something that will look nice?

Another consideration is which plant's folliage do you like better? Remember, the flowers are the pay off, but the leaves are what you have to look at for the rest of the time. Personally I like the big strappy leaves of the phal over a cat, but that's just me.

Lastly, you shold definately try to connect with your local orchid society. Frequently they will set you up with a free starter upon joining, and even if they don't, they will be a great resource.

Best of luck to you.

[WhiteRabbit]

There are many Dendrobiums that do well in a range of temps, and on windowsills or outdoors.
Also many Oncidiums, other Oncidium alliances, and Oncidium intergeneric hybrids

[Bud]

Welcome and Hello! There are plenty of orchid growers in UK and maybe one store near you. Its best to go and look for the orchid in person and see what connection you have with each other. I fell in love with my first two Phals that I found in the trash of a Hotel employee's entrance...dried up flowers but still had a hint of beauty in it esp the porcelain pot it was on and the plastic dragonflies it was adorned...by asking around flower shops for tips (I didnt know orchid forums existed) I managed to bloom it again on the same spike and still have it with me after 7 yrs...

[camille1585]

LOL, haven't you guys see the date of the original posts? 2008!