Quote:
Originally Posted by jmccoy
I would love to try a masdevallia though I dont know if I can do the high humidity that they need.
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You could grow them in a ten-gallon aquarium.
Don't be afraid to try something new. I like to browse the websites of different vendors and make a list of the orchids/plants that interest me, then research them to see if it is possible for me to grow them. I grow 'chocolate' trees (Theobroma cacao--an equator, lowland, rain forest tree), cinnamon and many other plants in my home successfully by just learning what they need and adjusting my culture to make the plants happy. I do stay away from any plant/orchid that needs to be kept cool all year because I cannot provide that (no air conditioning).
So, the best thing to do is write down the conditions you can provide and cannot/will not provide and then browse a few websites to see what interests you. When you find something you like, open a new window and learn more about what the orchid needs.
Some tips:
If your environment is cooler, use larger, faster draining medium and, perhaps, a more ventilated pot so that the medium dries quickly and evenly. Very cool winter conditions might mean using LECA or red lava rock and basket pots.
If you need high humidity, grow in aquariums, jars, vases or bowls.
Note what conditions the orchid needs the entire year.
Lighting is very important. If you run out of space under your lights or in your windows, it is time to look for orchids that like shade.
There are orchids that bloom more than once a year. I say this because I bought many once-a-year blooming large Cattleyas (some very nice species) before I realized that they were only in bloom for a few weeks!!! I have lately gotten rid of all of them and bought smaller Cattleyas so that I have space for more orchids (and will have more blooms!)
Good luck!
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