Good minis/mounts for lights and east windows?

[chopster01]

I love Paphs and Phals, but I'd like to branch out a little. I have good tall (but thin) eastern windows and also shelves with T8 HO lighting giving good low to medium light levels.

Can anyone suggest some good minis/ mounts I might branch out with? I have been considering Angraecum didieri, Gastrochilus somai, Sediria (Aerides) japonica, and Haraella oderata, but I just read Ross's article on the Gastrochilus, which was a little disconcerting for someone with my amateurish setup, and I think the Haraella may be more than I can handle too.

I am also looking at Acopera galeatea, Cischweinfia sheehanae (pusilla), and Stanhopea jenischiana (not exactly miniatures, hee hee).

Obviously, I'm looking for something DIFFERENT. Should I be warned away from any more of the plants listed above? Can you recommend any others, especially minis and mounts?

Charlie

[Tindomul]

I would go for Angraecums and miniature Bulbophyllums. In my limited experience they are the most forgiving of low humidity environments. All you got to do is find a way to keep them humid and well watered.

[Ross]

I agree. My experience with a lot of the mounts in low light is that they thrive and put out lots of leaves and maybe roots, but do not bloom. You should be able to grow Draculas in moss in baskets with that amount of light. The flower trigger for these guys is cold temps (well at least cool temps.) Haraella will grow just fine for you, but the buds may not open. I haven't had any luck with Angraecoids in a window. Light may be OK, but humidity probably is too low. Hope this helps.

[chopster01]

I am not positive about my light levels. My light meter should arrive tomorrow. My camera guesstimation puts my fluorescent-lighted shelves at 2000 fc at 3-4 inches from the lights, but I suspect it is higher. The eastern windows get measurably more light for at least part of the morning--and one window gets considerably more than the other because of the angle of the sun's ascent--but fade by noon or 1:00 pm. Actually I consider one window my "shade" window and one my "bright" window, though they both face east. I will undertake a more accurate survey of window light levels once the meter arrives.

I also have two western windows--again, one shadier than the other--but have avoided putting any plants in them because I have had warnings against intense afternoon light in western windows. Have I been steered wrong in this?

Ross, I am glad to hear you think I might grow Draculas. They are captivating, but I thought their humidity / temperature needs might be too "particular" for my set-up. Are you sure I'm not too hot?

In the spring/fall, my temps inside can occasionally fall into the 50s, but usually dip to about 60°, with peaks in the mid-to-upper 70s. In winter I go to about 64° at night and 68° during the day--not much variation. In summer I am usually at about 74° at night and 80° during the day, unless we have a pleasant temperate day (like we have had many of this summer), when the temps are like the spring/fall temps.

Timdomul, the Bulbos are of course VERY interesting. Given the added description of my setup here, do you have any particular suggestion for plants?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by chopster01

Ross, I am glad to hear you think I might grow Draculas. They are captivating, but I thought their humidity / temperature needs might be too "particular" for my set-up. Are you sure I'm not too hot?

In the spring/fall, my temps inside can occasionally fall into the 50s, but usually dip to about 60°, with peaks in the mid-to-upper 70s. In winter I go to about 64° at night and 68° during the day--not much variation. In summer I am usually at about 74° at night and 80° during the day, unless we have a pleasant temperate day (like we have had many of this summer), when the temps are like the spring/fall temps.

I'd just bet you can grow them just fine! My temps go down to mid 60s at night during winter and they bloom just fine. Sounds like your temps are similar to mine. Expect fine foliage during summer follwed by blossoms in winter (lowest temps.)

[chopster01]

This is some really good news! These are some plants I bet I could get into!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by chopster01

This is some really good news! These are some plants I bet I could get into!

I especially like Dracula lotax

[chopster01]

What a real cutie! The only source I can seem to find for Draculae is J&L. Are there others I should look at?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by chopster01

What a real cutie! The only source I can seem to find for Draculae is J&L. Are there others I should look at?

Try Andy's Orchids - Orchids Species - Species List in Alpha search scroll down a ways, then check next pages.

[chopster01]

You know, I had looked there. How did I miss them? Maybe the page didn't load fully first time around. Some great plants there, lots of them. Can you lend me about $500? LOL!!!