Cool growers for my office window?
 

I would love to grow an orchid in my office window and see it do well instead of just existing. The thing is, my office is set to a constant 73-74 degrees and the window is facing exactly NE.

Are there any orchids that do well in an arid, cool environment?

73 degrees isn't bad at all! The problem is definitly the humidity. I know there are plenty that will tolerate low humidity but they definitly will not thrive. You can always make a pretty little humidity tray though. I keep a miltoniopsis and a phal on my desk at work and they are both sitting in old candy bowls with some water in it that has rocks covering the bottom of the dish so the orchid pot does not sit directly in water. My milt's candy jar had taller sides on it so it snuggles in there a little better and this one also sits closer to the window.

Cattleyas seem to do ok with lower humidity, too. Again, not thrive, but tolerate

Probably a better approach is the grow them in a better environment at home, then take them to the office when blooming.

See that? I've now given you a perfect reason to get more plants, so you can rotate them.

You're welcome.

I'd just rotate orchids while they are in bloom like what Ray suggests. And I'd stick to the cool growers such as cool growing Oncidium, Gomesa, Cyrtochilum, or Odontoglossum.

The main concern is mostly poor air circulation in your office. Lighting and humidity are easier things to control for, but are also of some concern as well, particularly since it is an office setting. Then, there is the aspect of whether the orchid is easy to care for to take into consideration. (you don't want to be worried about taking care of an orchid's needs or tinkering with the orchid while you're busy with work). This is especially true if you plan on growing them long term, (as in for a decade or more).

I think growing them in the right environment at home is better suited for their long term care.

If rotating orchids sounds like a giant pain, (for someone like me and my work situation, it sounds like it is incredibly inconvenient and impractical), you can just do a cut flower arrangement. Say, for example, your favorite orchid at home is in bloom and you want to also enjoy it at the office, just cut a couple of flower spikes that are in bloom and put them in a small vase and take THAT to work and leave it on your desk. You can also use other plants to use for the arrangement to create the look you like. The doctor I work with has a small vase the size of a cup/mug next to her work space with just a couple different kinds of flowers in it. It is small, brings color and interest to the desk, and smells nice without having to fuss with anything that can get sick on you and die.

A capital idea!! And thank you! :waving

---------- Post added at 04:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:00 PM ----------


I cut a blooming keiki flower spike on a Phal to allow the plant to devote it's energy to root growth, and it lived for 4 weeks or so in a tiny vase of water. Hubby and I were amazed.

Excellent idea!

---------- Post added at 04:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------

If I find the right kind of tray, I can definitely do that. I just need something to look at besides my Norfolk Pine and the Ivy that's becoming a monster that has to go...

Now I have an excuse to buy a Cattleya! :biggrin:

In large office buildings there is substantial air circulation from the heating/cooling system, and the relative humidity is controlled to around 30%. This is done for worker comfort. I would not choose a Cattleya nor Phalaenopsis for constant low 70s F / 21-24C temperatures. Something in the Oncidium group, or some complex Paphiopedilum hybrids, should do well.

Ah.. thank you for the tip.