Help me choose my next orchid
 

My wife has decided that I'm allowed to purchase one more orchid. (just one, for reals, not two and saying it's one :biggrin: )

So...the contest begins. Tell me which orchid I should buy and why, along with a source for it. The plant should cost less than $50 (preferably less than $30) and be either in spike now or about to spike within the next few months.

My growing conditions: Temp: intermediate to warm. Light: anywhere from low to med-high. Humidity: 50-60%.

Winner gets...a sample of my calligraphy. limit one half page.

I will decide the winner, based on whatever criteria I want, on Wednesday.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...e3complete.jpg

yes, I did this by hand. the winner wouldn't get quite this much though. ;)

How about an oncidium intergeneric? Cheap, easy to grow.

Not my personal favorite group of orchids, but lots of people love them.

...Encyclia tampensis! Blooms like clockwork in June, little green flowers with purple spotted lip... Florida native... they are in bloom now, but there may be a few that will spike in a while... also a beautiful Carter and Holmes cultivar; Enc. tampensis var. alba 'Mendenhall' AM/AOS :banana:

-Pat

Ok, Bulbophyllum orthoglossum. This is a spring/summer bloomer. You should get it becuase its something that might be a little different. It likes to be kept moist, warm, and in bright shade. Perfect for the indoors if you ask me.
Here is the source, and a pic of the plant.
Oh and another reason you should get it is becuase the bloom is totally cool!
http://www.andysorchids.com/picturef...jpg&PicId=5266

It's going to totally depend on your tastes, Scott!

My thought du jour is a Brassia. They're spectacular flower spikes, and are just coming into bloom. I have the species verrucosa and it grows like an absolute weed. It has 30+ p-bulbs on it and is about to bloom three huge spikes.

My pick for you is a cross with the verrucosa. I just ordered one for myself, because the orange color is a knock-out, and very unusual for a spider flower. It's a Brssa. (Brassada) Mem. Bert Field. The verrucosa is crossed with an Ada (similar to the genus Brassia, so the flower characteristics are still spidery) aurrantiaca (a brilliant orange flower). So it's a primary hybrid to boot - always nice, in my book!

Norman's has them in spike for $40. That should just fit in your budget: http://www.orchids.com/shop/shopCatR...rch=bert+field

However you go, have fun choosing!

Julie

Welll, thanks a lot Scott! I started looking on the web to pick a plant for you and have now added 3 to my ever-growing list! :)

Anyway, check this out:
http://adoptanorchid.com/

Here's one that I'm looking forward to blooming in my own collection. I bought a compot of these and in a year they've grown a lot! I still have some time to wait but you could get to see the blooms before me!
It's gorgeous! It's also inexpensive :)
http://www.alohaorchid.com/detail.aspx?ID=145

Scott you definitely have us all searching for just the right orchid for you and your bride. In your gallery I was looking for color and not sure what you have not shared with us but I like a variety of color in my collection. One of my favorites Potinara Exotic Dream (Blc. Goldenzelle x Pot. Mem. Seichi Iwasaki). The plant produces large standard sized plants with large flowers ranging from yellow and orange with colored lips and fragrant. It's a great price.

Check it out http://www.mauiorchids.com.

Any catt made with Blc. Oconee!
OR
Not enough species being grown.....here is a beauty.
Phal. amboinensis 'Chin Yo' - $25.00
http://bigleaforchids.com/catalog/pr...2a11b922e393fc

so many good choices...but there must be more out there!!!

more more more!!!

:lol:

Easy Neofineitia Falcata reasonably priced and beautifully fragranced. You can get a decent sized standard white for $30.00 . I do agree with Mahon's encyclias are a nice choice!