What orchids to choose?
 

Hi everyone!

I am a proffesional gardener in the NW UK and I have been presented with an opportunity to grow a couple of orchids to be displayed in our garden tearoom when in bloom. We have a 2 compartment heated glasshouse with winter minimum temps being 5C and 10C. I am looking for a max. of 10 relatively easy and compact orchids that I could grow in these conditions and possibly achieve perpetual flower display from march to september.
Those that I know I should be able to grow are:
Couple of Pleione species and hybrids
Coelogyne cristata
Coelogyne intermedia
Coelogyne ochracea

Please can you advise on other cool/very cool growers that are from your experience reasonably easy and reliable? Winter rest is a bonus - that means less work for me.. Scent is important to me too..:)
Thanks ever so much for your ideas!
Happy growing!

Hmmm, you might considder Dendrobium x delicatum. It did very well for me this year. I bought it last year in bloom, divided it and it grew beautifully last summer. I had it outdoors, Nort East faced with early morning and late evening sun. I never would have thought that this one would spike so early and set so many spikes for me. It did much much better than Den. Berry Oda (kingianum hybrid) or Den. kingianum.
Flowers are mainly white, tiny but have a strong honey-like smell. When I bought it last year it had only 3 spikes but the smell could fill my bedroom, even with an open window!

Nicole

PLEIONES! :):Tup:

Only because I love them! :love: :drool: :biggrin:

Check out this past thread in the archives - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...0-pleione.html

Bletilla
Spiranthes
Dactylorrhiza
Orchis
Himantoglossum
Epipactis
Cypripedium
Ophrys
Disa
Stenoglottis
Masdevallias
Pleurothallis
Draculas
Tipularia
Galearis
Bonatea

Just a few genera I can think of that I believe people can grow.

I don't know how high your temperatures get, but maybe if you're able to (because most people can't, due to how warm it gets where they live)...

Telipogon
Fernandezia

Keep in mind, these are very high elevation plants, and many people have a hard time with these. Not very many people can help you should you decide to try these two genera out.

Dorothy beat me to it but pleione would fit in what you are looking for. And with you being in the UK you have so many hybrids to choose from

Pleione Hybrids - KoolPlants

Heritage Orchids
Springwood Pleiones Price List 2007

I would love to have Pleiones - but i basically cant grow them. blooms are amazing looking. some one from China sells a lot of species on ebay for 12 $ inc shipping.

THere is UK based site all about Pleiones.

seems that the UK weather with temperate winters and mild summers is perfect for Pleiones... would go for that. in photo they look amazing.

would consider Phaius tankervilliae. easy to propagate.

Sarcochilus are nice too.

Masdevallias? small flowers though...

If fragrance is important, what about some Bulbo's (stinky ones?) LOL , just kidding.
Although I don't grow Pleione's, I aggree they could give quit a show when they bloom + wintercare is easy!