Best orchids for no potting media?
 

Hi All, Just wondering if I could get some ideas for the best orchids to grow with out potting media? I love the long loose hanging roots, but I live in northern IL so warm, sunny, humid climate isn't around for more than 3 or 4 months. Any ideas what to try? Thanks again for your time and help.

If you're willing to water every day, Vandas and kin.

I second Vandaceous 'chids. If you get some of the more vigorous hybrids you will have monster hanging roots. I recommend compact Renantheras too if you have the heat.

Vandas are the only ones I have seen with dangling roots, though I am sure there are others.

Tolumnia and some Cattleyas also don't care for potting media (two of mine that come to mind are Catt. aclandiae and Laelia dayana). Perhaps, with some, some roots would dangle, but nothing like a Vanda.

Anything mounted, uses very little media and, will have some roots dangling sooner or later. Some of the hybird dendrobiums/phalaenopsis can have very long trailing roots which grow from upper nodes and, where new plantss start, and grow with out media. Depends on how you grow them as to how they will appear. Plants grown in a pot will have a different habit than the same plants mounted. But the vanda types are the king when it comes to dangling/trailing roots

I have one experimental phal hybrid in a quart mason jar with no medium. It's been there about a year and is doing great. The jar keeps the humidity up around those fat green roots, it's very dry here. I thought it would die, but it looks quite healthy and is blooming right now. I'm not sure what this method is called, semi-water culture seems the closest. You might give this a try, I've been surprised at how well it's working.

If you trail Spanish moss over a mount, the roots will often grow into the SM and then go straight down so you get this beard of roots and moss.

Best orchids for no potting media?
 

Krienschmidt, you are in Northern Illinois? Are you near Addison, Il? If you are, go to Hausermann's Orchids. They have many orchids. They have a lot of Vanda and they offer them potted, mounted, and hanging in baskets.

I agree with the suggestion you try Vanda. I would consider Vanda coerulea, they can grow in cooler winter weather. If you want to go small and stay in the Vanda Alliance, try Neofinetia falcata. Hausermann's provides very inexpensive, multi-growth plants. There are several Vanda hybrids with Neofinetia DNA, like Neostylis Lou Sneary. Another hybrid is Ascofinetia Sunrise that can grow cooler.

Thank you everyone. I think I'll be trying something in the Vanda family. Yep, I've been to Hausermann Orchids, quit an impressive place. Have also been to Natt's in Naperville. I'm sure to find something awesome. Thanks again all.

Did you find your bare root orchid? If so, what did you get?