Looking for suggestions

[Daethen]

I am soon going to my first orchid show. I have been doing well with phals, paphs, psychopsis but not so good with oncidium. I was thinking of some masdies and some minis that are prolific and kind of easy to grow. I grow indoors and live in Wisconsin.

I was wondering if anyone could give me a few suggestions from your experience.

Thanks in advance.

[WhiteRabbit]

ooo - orchid show! awesome!

what kind of light and temps do you have?
are you able and/or willing to water frequently if necessary?

[Daethen]

I have ok light, will be addressing this in the near future. Temps are 60-65 on the low side and around 75 on the high side at this time of year. I am very willing to water whenever it is necessary. I have one small mount that gets watered 2-3 times a day. Thinking of some masdies, paphs, and bulbos but I am open to all suggestions. I would really like something that flowers often.

[tucker85]

If you have an area with bright light and maybe the opportunity to put them outdoors during the summer, some Ascocendas bloom several times a year. Ask the vendor which ones are the frequent bloomers. I just bought a Vascostylis Pine River 'Fushia Delight' which the vendor told me blooms more than any of his other orchids. Also there are some small Cattleyas that bloom on each new growth during the year. I have a cross (B. Little Stars X Lc. Memoria Robert Straits 'Paradise') that blooms 3 or 4 times a year for me. If your light is not strong enough then, of course, Phalaenopsis stay in bloom for a very long time. The vendors at the show will probably be your best source of information. Just let them know that you're looking for orchids that bloom frequently. Good luck.

[quiltergal]

I have an Asctm. pumillum that has been in continual bloom since last spring, and not just a single spike. Right now it has 4 spikes blooming, and I just cut 2 off! It's a micro mini growing on a stick. Here is a pic of it's first time blooming. The show it's putting on now is much more impressive. Fact is I'm a little afraid it's going to bloom itself to death. It was one of the OB Project plants. Got it from Andy's Orchids. I'm growing it intermediate in bright light.



Another great mini is Haraella retrocalla. This was also an OB Project. This one is from Oak Hill. It's also grown intermediate in bright light. It doesn't bloom continuously (at least not for me), but when it does bloom it puts on a great show for several months.

[Call_Me_Bob]

get some warmth tolerant masdies, i have a list i can dig up of a few that are supposedly warmth tolerant. try some catts too. if you dont have phal equestrus, cant go wrong with that.

[Daethen]

I still have a couple of weeks for suggestions and research. I realized I didn't let you all know when I was actually going. Show is Orchid Quest in Madison, WI on Feb. 5 and 6. Keep the ideas coming. I am learning about lots of new orchids that I want. Now if the pocket book would only cooperate!!

[Daethen]

Bumping my own thread. The show is this weekend and I am looking for last minute advice!

[Call_Me_Bob]

go with a list and a budget! otherwise youll spend way to much

[camille1585]

I don't know what you have in your collection, but if you don't have any yet you could get some species Phals. I strongly recommend Phal equestris if you don't have one yet! Blooms like crazy, and loves to make keikis. Still sticking to genera you grow already, Paph Pinnochio blooms for ever and ever.

In terms of minis, like Terri I was also going to suggest Haraella odorata.

Howeara Lava Burst is a nice compact plant with beautiful red blooms, and it can put out spikes several times per year. Yes, it's an Oncidium type, but I'm doing surprisingly well with mine despite my reputation as an onc killer (it's mounted, why might explain it).