I grow in a fridge and use a controller so I can set the temperature to whatever like. I grow a mixture restrepia, stelis, masdevallia, lepanthes, pleurothalis.
What would you say is a good optimal daytime temperature for pleurothallids in general if you had to pick one temperature?
Right now I just have it set to 75. My nights are 50.
I think that would be a very good range for the majority of Pleurothallids. Of course, there are high-elevation species that want cooler and low-elevation species that want warmer, but this temperature range should be good for most.
Telipogon is a genus with some really spectacular flowers. I can't recommend species because I can't grow any of them, they would be fine in winter but would never make it through the summer. So probably perfect for your cool environment.
I know that there are a bunch of high-elevation pleurothallids - again, I can't suggest from experience. Andina is a genus with some really neat miniature plants. Typical elevation is around 2800 to well over 3000 m, so high temperatures probably in the mid-60's F . For more detailed recommendations, Ivan Portilla from Ecuagenera would be a good source - he comes to many shows in the US. I'll send you his email in a PM. If you can get to one of the shows where Ecuagenera is attending, you can pick up plants, or they can mail from the show once the plants have been brought into the US.
It would be great if a show ever came to Asheville!
It does in April. You have to make a pre-order with Ecuagenera if there are specific things you're looking for, though. And there's a deadline for pre-orders