Suggestions for NON-Phal beginner orchids?

[Corry]

I just discovered by looking in the orchid show forum that there's a show coming up in Wheaton IL, barely a mile from where my little cousin's rehab center was (Marionjoy is the name of the center if anyone is from the area). The show is THIS WEEKEND! That would be so perfect. However, the only way I'll be able to go is if I get my refund before that, so I'm crossing my fingers!

[Bill U.]

Welcome to OB! I think that you have gotten great advice from everyone previously! I am just going to add 2 suggestions to the pot of genera to pick from:
-phragmipedium
-paphiopedilum

I am an indoor grower of phals and a phrag besseae in my college dorm room- I have found that with the light from my window and with humidity trays, I have gotten great results! I have heard that paph's are relatively easy in the normal home environment, but I have not had the opportunity to test this myself- again, depending on what your "home climate" is.

Good luck in the hunt and welcome to the group of addicts

[Rowangreen]

Good luck on getting to the show!

While Ray is totally right of course, I'm his nightmare grower! After a couple of years I have phals, paphs, catasetums, maxillarias, sophronitus, cycnodes, sedirea, chysis, oncidium alliance plants, zygopetalums, dendrobium, lycaste, pabstias, epidendrum, ludisia, prosthecia, tolumnia... think that's about it!

I guess my added tip would be, if you see something you love, but can't research for some reason (eg it's in front of you at a show and the seller's being vague...), then only buy if you can accept it might die. I've pushed the boundaries a bit and most of mine are actually doing OK. I seem to be bad with maxillarias for some reason: I've killed several. Max tenufolia seems to be pretty unkillable though...

[Corry]

That's just it: I've gone into this knowing full well that orchids can and often are difficult. I'm not really one to read up on every possible orchid there is and then decide -- I'd get far too overwhelmed and give up. I'm much more likely to enjoy the hobby if I am able to narrow it down to a few that might work, then do a bunch of reading, video watching, etc on those types to figure out if any of them would suit me. And then once I research something specific, I tend to do so obsessively. I just need a starting point.

You guys have all been a really great help! Thank you so much!

[Ordphien]

Orchids that I found just as easy to care for as a phal.
Paphs...
Evergreen dendrobium....
Mini cattleya, and my maxillaria.
I also have a vigorous vanilla orchid.
It's an extremely easy grower but no hope of flowers.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Corry

That's just it: I've gone into this knowing full well that orchids can and often are difficult.

That's an all too common misconception, most orchids are not difficult plants! Unless you get into the really picky species. Once you understand the differences between growing orchids and growing other plants (mainly adjusting to a different style of watering because of the course medium), a great many of them are very easy plants. If fact, I find some of my orchids much easier than some of my houseplants, which, for example, suffer more from low humidity.

[The Orchid Boy]

I'd reccomend paphiopedilums and phragmipediums, some lovely slipper orchids. There are some sellers in Illinois that are into slipper orchids such as:
Leo Schordje-Zion, IL
Tom Kalina -Bloomington, IL
Sam Tsui-Naperville, IL
(Their names are linked to their websites.) Some of the above people may be at the show you are going to. They are all very knowledgeable. Let us know if you get anything!

[camille1585]

Seems like everyone is simply suggesting their favorite orchids, lol.

[james mickelso]

Corry, orchids are so easy to grow. For most species of orchids there are a couple of things that need to be understood and they are simple. Water- they like to be watered but don't like their roots to stay wet. So water when they feel dry. Get used to how heavy they are when wet and then dry, or take a stick and keep it in the pot between the roots. Pull it out every couple days and feel how wet it is. When dry, water. Light- orchids have to have light. Some, Catts and some oncidiums, like lots of light. Some, phals, paphs, like subdued light. Don't get hung up in absolutes. Most will tell you if they are getting too much or not enough. Feeding. Feed weakly, weekly. Any old plant food will work until you get anal like most of us here. Then you can get what suits your needs. Just cut whatever you are feeding your house plants in half. Water quality- depending on what the dissolved solids level is in your water, I would recommend RO or distilled water for your orchid. Also a good drenching in your shower would be good for your orchids. But again, don't sweat the small stuff. A little reading would go a long way and get you to expert level in no time just like the rest of us (hey!!!! Quiet up in the peanut gallery). And orchid clubs are the very best place to get info and orchids. One orchid I would strongly suggest for you way up in Ill. is Miltonias and especially milltoniopsis. They like it a little cooler. And their flower displays are incredible. But Ray and others here are right. The best place to get orchids is Home Cheapo and Lowes. Phals are nearly fool proof. Provided you follow the advice here.

[The Orchid Boy]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Seems like everyone is simply suggesting their favorite orchids, lol.

Ok, so I did reccomend my favorite orchids. But they were the second group orchids I tried. The first orchid I rebloomed all by myself was a Paph. delenatii. Other orchids I rebloomed in the order I rebloomed them are phalaenopsis, cattleya, masdevallia. If you choose something you really like you are more likely to succeed with it, as long as it will fit your conditions.

I'll reccomend a group of paphs that isn't one of my favorites: Maudiae and barbata type paphs are said to be the easiest group of paphs to grow. I don't love their blooms, I do somewhat like them though... (Not my favorites.)