Suggestions of fall and early winter blooming orchids?

[camille1585]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Hybrids are complicated though since it's rare to find the same ones available on both sides of the pond. Otherwise I would have immediately added the Den Jonathan's Glory and the Proc Golden Peacock to my shopping list!

I'll definitely look for that Den auriculatum, it's a really nice looking one!

I didn't realize so many Catts are fall bloomers, I mistakenly thought that they were all (or nearly all) spring/summer type plants. How about Laelia pumila? I came across it whille looking for the 2 Catts species listed. It's small and seems to be fall blooming. Is it a difficult species to grow?

[Roberta]

I have a L. pumila that grows slowly, but blooms every year. I'm growing it outside, it would probably grow better if a bit warmer. Definitely is a fall bloomer.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Hybrids are complicated though since it's rare to find the same ones available on both sides of the pond. Otherwise I would have immediately added the Den Jonathan's Glory and the Proc Golden Peacock to my shopping list!

I'll definitely look for that Den auriculatum, it's a really nice looking one

I forgot that you're in the Netherlands! I think Den auriculatum would be a great choice.

[Shadeflower]

The temperatures that L pumilla needs is one of the advantages for a european climate but I suppose it does depend how cold a home gets, pumilla likes a cool rest down to about 12 degrees C. I have a few that seem to have adapted well at mine so far. Compared to a sophronitis coccinea I'd say the pumilla is easier but it is a mini that will require frequent watering so its all subjective.
Mine get roughly 24/18 degrees in summer and 20 down to 12 degrees in winter. Same light as a Neofinetia falcata.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

The temperatures that L pumilla needs is one of the advantages for a european climate but I suppose it does depend how cold a home gets, pumilla likes a cool rest down to about 12 degrees C. I have a few that seem to have adapted well at mine so far. Compared to a sophronitis coccinea I'd say the pumilla is easier but it is a mini that will require frequent watering so its all subjective.
Mine get roughly 24/18 degrees in summer and 20 down to 12 degrees in winter. Same light as a Neofinetia falcata.

Darn... Cool winters is something that I just can't do, and is the reason why I only get 3-4 blooms per spike on my Neofinetia... I have just 1 grow area in my living room, and the majority of my collection is Phals, which can't get too cool. And I live in a recently built apartment complex (very well insulated - too well, it turns into an oven during hot summers), and the only time the temps drop below 18C at night is if it is well below freezing.

[Shadeflower]

I do think the pumilla would need it like a neofinetia but maybe it will still do ok right next to your coldest window and it is a very cute Cattleya even when not in bloom.

But thinking about your conditions I think a warm growing Brassavola, eg little stars or jimmeny cricket would be good choices.

Also worth noting is that Angraecum Magdalenae flowers in Winter. Angraecum scottianum flowers in spring. Cross them together and you end up with a great Angraecum crosse that flowers in Autumn, the lady lisa which likes it a bit warmer

Also consider Cattleya labiata. Flowers September to Novemeber

[camille1585]

I never thought it would be so difficult to find a fall blooming orchid within my specs! But it does make shopping fun and interesting. I also found an article by Martin Motes and Ascocentrums, and read that Ascocentrum miniatum and A. aurantiacum are fall bloomers too. They also fall within my size and temperature preferences.