Show Coming Up: Trying to choose some suitable species to look for

[BigGreenLeaf]

Hello all,

I know questions like this are often asked and I have been searching the forum all day for an answer to my question but I wanted to ask specifically as well, because I didn't quite find what I wanted.

There is the annual Orchid Show and Sale next weekend and a friend of mine has twisted my arm into going. I want to buy something, but I want that something to be something i've researched and am not going to kill immediately!

I live in western Canada, we have very low humidity here, cold, dry winters that are very long (6-8 months) and short, very hot summers that are spotty when it comes to humidity.

I am new to orchids but not to plants. My current orchid is a phal of some kind (NoID from a commercial outlet) who I thought I was killing but everyone who posted in that thread seems to believe everything is fine. I told myself if I didn't kill that plant by the time the show came around, I could buy another one (a good rule I think!).

I currently have everyone in front of an East facing window, but I will be moving in September into a basement suite with a single window. I already own, and am happy to use grow lights (I have SunGlo's right now) to aid in that department. Indoor temps here are pretty much always at 21°C, with perhaps a small drop at night to 18°C (not sure what the temp set-up is going to be in the new place).

So, the characteristics i'm looking for, for my next orchid are (in order of priority):

- able to do well under artificial light and/or some natural light

- not a huge plant (I actually have preference for a true miniature, but only if it fulfils the other characteristics below)

- I absolutely can not remember to water every single day. So something that is good being watered maybe once a week. I'm happy to provide a humidity tray or misting a couple times a week

- I need something that's not too finicky, I need something thats a bit forgiving of the odd missed watering, etc (I am a beginner with orchids after all!)

- If it was fragrant, that would be such a bonus.

- My preferences for the colors of the blooms are : pure white, blues, orange, red, white and red combinations, very dark blue/purple

Some species that had caught my eye during my searches were:
Aerangis fastuosa
Iwanagara Apple Blossom
Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' or 'Red Fantasy'

Further research has turned up that my top pick, the A. fastuosa is extremely finicky. While I would be happy to grow it in a little single gallon vivarium I am not so keen on the idea of watering it every day. Or the extremely high light levels i've been reading it needs.

I also really adore the Onicidium Sharry Baby and was curious if perhaps this might be an appropriate plant?

I look forward to your replies. If I have to stick with Phals. that's ok, but I'm curious to know what ideas some members may have!

Regards,

[801229001]

are you going to be attending the foothills orchid society show and sale?

[BigGreenLeaf]

Originally Posted by 801229001

are you going to be attending the foothills orchid society show and sale?

Thats correct!

[801229001]

Oh! me too! You can find all sorts of species at the show! I'll be there both days!
generally you can find all sorts of species. oncidium type plants are easy to grow and good for newbies!

[camille1585]

I'm not sure that Sharry Baby is the most suited for growing under lights. For one, it does like a lot of light, and the other thing is that this plant gets HUGE. After a couple years you'll have a monster on your hands. Smaller Onc hybrids may be better adapted, such as Onc Twinkle (exists in white as well).

And yes, as you've read, Aerangis fastuosa can be a finnicky little plant.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I'm not sure that Sharry Baby is the most suited for growing under lights. For one, it does like a lot of light, and the other thing is that this plant gets HUGE. After a couple years you'll have a monster on your hands. Smaller Onc hybrids may be better adapted, such as Onc Twinkle (exists in white as well).

And yes, as you've read, Aerangis fastuosa can be a finnicky little plant.

Let me preface this by saying that the plant I'm referring to was purchased without a tag so it might be a different plant entirely. But it looks and smells like a Sharry Baby, and no question that size is an issue. I divided mine last year and may well again this to keep it at a size I have winter space for. It's been outside a couple weeks now and is about ready to go in to its half day sun location until the fall. I keep it under moderately bright leds over the winter, and to my surprise it produced 2 spikes while inside this past winter. They weren't as impressive as the summer spikes, but considering all I really want is for the plant to not deteriorate over the winter, any bloom was a pleasant bonus.

[Leafmite]

Small, white, fragrant, forgiving:
Angraecums are white and night fragrant. Most of the common ones are not too picky about humidity and watering (especially leonis)
Brassavola nodosa are white and night fragrant. Again, not to picky about being forgotten.
Neofinetia falcata White, night fragrant Again, not too demanding for watering.
With all three, soak the roots well when watering, until they green up.

'Blue' (really purple), small, fragrant and forgiving:
Cattleya Mini Purple 'Blue Hawaii' (it is a primary hybrid, not a species)

[camille1585]

In the 'blues' (purple) there are also some nice Phals, like Purple Martin or Kenneth Shubert. These are compact, small flowered hybrids, no nothing like big Noid Phals. In the whites, you could look for the alba or semi alba forms of Phal equestris. Small, prolific bloomer and keiki producer, it's a must have species in any collection!

[BigGreenLeaf]

This is great guys thank you! I took a look at all the names that were given and I now have a small list of plants that I really like the look of!

- The solid white semi alba forms of Phal equestris
Love them! Those unique white flowers but big leafs are wonderful

- Purple Martin and Kenneth Schubert orchid
I was hesitant to put 'blue' or dark purple because anything light in those departments I find unattractive. But there is something about these two that are just lovely! Definitely on the list.

- Angraecums leonis
What a delightful flower shape! So unique! And again, that pure white. Plus being small, night fragrant and forgiving are all bonuses

- Neofinetia falcata
Again, what unique looking blooms! I actually found myself drawn to the images of Neofinetia falcata with purple flowers, which was a surprise for me! This is a lovely bloomer, but I don't find the foliage as attractive. However I will still keep it on the list. (Plus it's so tiny!)

- Onc Twinkle 'red fire'
Oh yes, I adore these! Still looks similar to the Sharry Baby which quickly won my heart, but more my size it seems. I also love the long stems clustered with tiny flowers (which i've been reading smell like vanilla? Wonderful!)

This is really great guys, thanks so much! I feel very comfortable with this list. If anyone had any other suggestions in the 'red with white' color palate that suites the OP characteristics I would love to add a few more of those to the list to keep an eye out for.

Oh man, I have a bad feeling i'm going to end up with more then one new plant...

[801229001]

Originally Posted by BigGreenLeaf

Oh man, I have a bad feeling i'm going to end up with more then one new plant...

WHAT?!? im planning on ending up with around 25