Looking for orchid suggestions

[sewagner86]

Hello! My friend and I share an orchid growing hobby and almost a birthday (1 day apart). We have decided to gift each other an orchid for our birthdays. I love it cus I get a cute suprise that I never think of keeping. I want suggestions for this year though!! I have looked and looked and I just don't know what to get her so want suggestions.

The requirements she (and I for her also) has placed forth:
-must be on the smaller end....nothing that is super tall, or super big.
-nothing that takes some crazy care requirements. She is VERY good with high humidity orchids BUT she has to keep them in a special chamber that she can't really display. I would prefer something she can display.
-must grow under grow lights well. She LOVES miltoniopsis, but they don't love her environment so much. She keeps it cooler, but it can get warm. (Think 66-70 degrees)

She had some orchids that didn't do so well so she pretty much cleaned out her collection. She has phals but she says they always die on her. I want something not as common. I would like a prolific bloomer. Maybe I am asking too much, but wanted to see what suggestions I get. Thanks!

[Roberta]

How about any of the Sunset Valley Orchids mini-Catts or compact Catts or spotted Catts. Some of them bloom twice a year (generally that's noted in the description or ask Fred Clarke) They tend to be forgiving of a wide range of conditions.

If you want to get a little crazier, I have found Maxillaria sophronitis easy to grow, blooms on and off frequently, gives a flush bloom of brilliant little red-orange flowers 2 or 3 times during the year. I don't know how well it would do under indoor conditions, though, since that's not how I grow it.

Neofinetia falcata? Or its various hybrids with other Vandas to get color. Like Neostylis or Darwinara or Ascofinetia (OK, they're all Vandas now). The Neofinetia falcata keeps the size down, the other parent(s) would make them more tolerant of warmth.

[estación seca]

An Oncidium hybrid, such as Sharry Baby. They often flower 3-4 times per year.

[Keysguy]

If she can do "cool" with high humidity how about a bright colored Masdevallia? Some of the really bright colored hybrids are reasonably easy to grow in those conditions. Or a Dracula. Those faces are always fun.

[Ray]

Paphiopedilum?

The fact that she "always kills" phals is concerning that anything will work for her. Maybe, instead of a plant, you should introduce her to a medium or container that will help with that issue.

[sewagner86]

I think she overexagerates when she says she always kills them. I have seen her collection and the phals she has looks nice and well cared for.....she just has trouble with repotting. I told her whenever they are ready for a repot, I can either repot or help her do so.

[qbie]

Could it be the watering frequency after repotting the phals and not so much the repotting, if doing in bark? I did not know til stumbling on this forum site recently and reading here the need to water more frequently initially. I think that may be why the phals I've repotted in the past always declined significantly afterwards and have always been reluctant to repot since. Was really scared to repot everything this summer, esp my newest phal because it has done so well in its corner these past 3 years (now everything is in that corner lol) because I was afraid it would just decline and never flower again like my oldest one (but that one I realize as i gain more knowledge here, I've made some other mistakes with). Despite my fears it wouldn't do well now, last week, saw what i think is the tip of a new flower spike on it.

Happy bday to you both and good luck with whatever you decide to get each other. I think that's a wonderful way to celebrate!

IMG_8671.jpg

Edit: or pot size. Another thing I learned here!

[WaterWitchin]

Procatavola Golden Peacock, Brassolaelia Yellow Bird, Dendrobium Silver Wings or Fire Wings. First two bloom at least two or three times a year, long lasting flowers. The Dendrobium flowers last seemingly forever. All are really tough orchids.

[Leafmite]

How small?
Some easy, small ones are the Oncidium Twinkles. Most of them bloom more than once a year when they are large enough and the blooms last a while. They are quite popular right now for these reasons.

Potinara Burana Beauty 'Burana' is fragrant, does not get large, and blooms a few times a year. It is easy to grow. Also quite popular.

Orchids that bloom and bloom are Haraella rectrocalla, Angraecum distichum, Dendrobium Lichenastrum and many Zygopetalums (Jumping Jack, Advance Australia, etc.). Some Phal-type Dendrobiums can be in bloom most of the year once they get established. The first three I mentioned are miniature orchids, often mounted, and need watered once or twice a day. They do better in a windowsill with humid conditions (I have my mounted orchids hanging near the window above my kitchen sink during the winter).

Hausermann's has a 'miniature' section as well as a mounted section where the orchids are usually small. Andy's has a filter to help find the perfect orchid. You can always call Hausermann's, Andy's Orchids, or another orchid vendor and tell them the growing conditions and qualities you want an ask for suggestions. Most vendors are happy to help.