Here's a sampling of my orchids that are currently blooming. No special growing area, just a coffee table placed directly in an east window. Here's proof that just about anyone could grow orchids if they really wanted to. My growing conditions are cool to intermediate in this area so I grow mostly Oncidium alliance. I'm glad that many bloom in mid-winter as it will be months before anything blooms outside.
You are too modest, your plants are beautiful.You do need to know what you are growing, and as you said in a different way, match the plants somewhat with your growing conditions.
But you are correct, you don't need a fancy greenhouse to grow Orchids. Before I had one, I used to take my very large Vanda and a bunch of others every night into the bathroom and soaked the roots over the bathtub. Once the plants quit dripping I placed them back into their window spot. Other plants were simply watered over trays.
They all look so great!! And healthy! And pretty! But I would have expected the great Todd Boland to have a big high tech orchid green house!
I only wish! I only have 36 orchids in the collection...that's enough to keep me busy. If I had a greenhouse, I'd have to move into it!
Wow! Those are incredible. I noticed you have a zygopedilum in your collection. I have the same plant and am having a hard time finding information on how to care for it. Any suggestions? Btw, 36 orchids is an impressive collection! Do you use lights for your orchids?
Which is the one on the right, with the blue or purple bell flowers? I LOVE how it looks, with flowers all over.
That's a Dendrobium kingianum. Here's a closer pic.
So pretty!
They are all beautiful, but I like the oncidiums best. What is the reddish one lower left?
The red one is Burrageara Living Fire 'Redman'. Here's a link:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/63808/index.html
Todd, how did you encourage your Dendrobium to bloom? I purchased an unlabeled Dendrobium Orchid on sale, several years ago at the Baltimore Conservatory. Unfortunately, it has never bloomed! The leaves are certainly healthy, but no flower spikes. Any growing tips on Dendrobiums would be greatly appreciated.
Shirley, first I need to know what type of Dendrobium you have. There are many different ones, some need warm conditions, others cold; some wet, some dry. If you could let me know, I'll see what I can find for you.
Wow!, that's really impressive. What are they eating? Your foliage is so rich.
I wish I could answer your questions, Todd, but I don't know! Hand written on the tag was the word Dendrobium, nothing else! Would you be able to venture an educated guess if I took a picture of it or is that looking for the "needle-in-a-haystack"?
Shirley1md,
Hiya,
have a look at this website, I'm not sure how to do the hyperlinks yet. But this guy has an amazing and encyclopaedic website....complete with photos that might give you a hand at ID.
www.orchidspecies.com
Try a picture...some are quite distinctive. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
