Good minis/mounts for lights and east windows?
 

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

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.

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?

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.)

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

I especially like Dracula lotax http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a_lotax_03.jpg http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a_lotax_04.jpg

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.

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!!!

Most of us orchid fans in the hot zones have never even *seen* a Dracula! Many have been present for the deaths of Miltonias, though. These sissies just don't seem to care for our buoyant heat and humidity.
Sigh - Nancy

But many of us Nawtherners haven't seen Live Oaks with Spanish Moss hanging to the ground or Yellow Pitcher Plants in bloom, or sucked the head out of a crawfish. Guess we get what we bargain for. :)

does that mean we can grow miltonias on windows up north? :drool: :pray:

I did for 3-4 years, then it pooped on me! Go figure.

I don't have a plant recommendation, but I wanted to pop in and say that I love J&Ls plants. I have multiple orchids from them (all miniatures, all of which have been shipped) and they always send healthy, great quality plants.

~audrey~

Hey Audrey,
Glad to hear J&L is a good supplier. I didn't mean to imply that they weren't when I asked about other Dracula providers. I haven't purchased from them yet. I was just looking into what all my options might be. I would hate to unintentionally "dis" a reputable provider.

Now, what miniatures did you buy from them?... :-)

don't worry! it didn't come across as you putting down J&L by any means, I just wanted to throw in my two cents that they had great plants! I meant it more as an encouraging statement to go ahead and buy from them!!

What have I bought... oh boy, you're going to make me fess up aren't you?

Den Mini Snowflakes
Masd Copper Cherub
Oncidium Gold Dust
Mediocalar decorata (hasn't bloomed yet, but is growing like crazy)
Den Pixie Charm - thriving in a west facing full sun window, I bought this one as a NBS orchid and it put on quite a show it's first blooming!! (awesome plant! but not really a miniature, more a compact grower)
Ceologyne Fimbriata

all are growing on windowsils. I have lusted over a dracula but didn't think I could grow them in a window because my humidity isn't high enough.... hmmmmm :scratchhead: maybe we'll both have to buy one together and give it a go!

~audrey~

You could try Bulbo. picta, a wonderful miniature just remember to water, they have fits when kept too dry. Also dryadella or stellis species would do nicely. they can all be mounted. for something different you might consider an ascentrum or ascocenda hybrid these are quite small and very free blooming. 2-3 times a year if they like you, mine are stingy, my freind has one constantly blooming.

I would be VERY wary of most Draculas on a windowsill unless enclosed to increase humidity. Well, if you run your whole house humidifier at 75% - you might do ok. I grow a bunch of Dracs indoors under lights/windowsill but I do it in an indoor greenhouse setup with two foggers going 24/7 and a fan on each shelf keeping the air moving. There are a few that will do OK with less - look for the more intermediate growing types with more succulent leaves. Stay far away from cold growers, or anything with thin, pleated-looking leaves.

I have done fairly well on eBay getting plants for less than Andy's or J&L sell 'em for. SOME of the plants are really quite nice. That is not to say that you wouldn't do well buying from J&L or Andy's, but you ARE going to kill a few of these babies while learning how to grow them on a 'sill so getting them cheap at first is a good idea.

Let us know how you do in about 6-8 months (once the heating season is well underway).

Dryadellas are not that difficult to keep growing even the cool ones are okay as long as the heat doesnt get above 90 F. I have several growing here in California and the temps are near 100 right now I just keep them watered and they grow fine, Do be watchful of masdevallias they do not like heat and show unhappiness with a vengence, I have never seen plants die so fast in my life, it couldnt have died faster if i had lit it on fire. Twenty five bucks gone in a week. Thirty more by the end of the month. A hundred bucks gone so far.
:dumb: :tapfoot: :confused: :shock: :( :_(

I definitely second this. Dracs grow in nature in very wet, humid situations. Some are low light, some higher light, but all have one thing in common - lots of air movement (constant) and wet - guess that's two things :biggrin: