Does anyone grow orchids?

[Billybagpuss]

I’ve always loved orchids, and been relatively successful at keeping them alive, usually manage at least 2 flowers from the same plant, but I feel I give up too easily.

Today I popped my dendrobium outside for its break, it’s scary I’ve never put them out before but apparently they need a rest with cooler night time temperatures. Either that or it will die, I got it reduced and have enjoyed 2 months of flowers off it, so it’s had its money’s worth.

I’d also like some different varieties other than the bog standard phalaenopsis that the garden centres and supermarkets sell, where do you even get anything different from these days? it seems quite difficult.

Also any suggestions for different varieties that work well for uk amateurs.

I keep mine in on window ledges, not next to any open windows. I water them once a week. When the flowers drop, I snip any dead looking branches. That's it. They then flower again, probably twice a year, every year. I've had most of mine for about 5 years now.

Also let’s see some pictures, this is a phalaenopsis that I think I was given around Christmas time, it’s been beautiful

That’s amazing @Purpleavocado I’d had my last one a while but it didn’t survive the kitchen refurbishment. Are your windows south facing?

I have them south facing now, in my old house they were East facing. The just don't like open windows.

I do the same as @Purpleavocado. I've never heard of them needing a break. They only don't do well when overwatered.

I have a bog standard phalaenopsis on an east facing windowsill. I water it about once a week, feed it orchid food when I remember (twice a year?) and it’s really happy. It flowers 2-3 times a year and has done for 3 years. It’s in orchid ‘compost’ and I make sure to tip excess water out about half an hour after watering, and it just keeps going.

I have a cambria orchid upstairs, which is apparently a hybrid. It’s gorgeous but only flowers once a year or so.

I’ve never heard of resting orchids before, but some sites give a good explanation of the differences between epiphytic orchids and terrestrial orchids and this might cover why you do with some and not others.

I love orchids and for the beautiful flowers they really aren’t hard work at all.

Wow the Cambria orchid is gorgeous @Letsnotargue

I have a dendrobium, two phalenopsis, a miltonia and a zygopetalatum. The dendrobium has been smothered in white flowers until recently which is amazing as I'd read it's hard to get them to reflower. The miltonia replaces a scorpion orchid which never did that well and eventually ended up dying off, I'm not really sure why. The zygopetalatum is huge now and puts out fabulous green and purple flowers. I'd recommend that as it seems as happy as the phalenopsis, I just bought it at our local independent garden centre. All are on our bathroom windowsill as they seem to enjoy the steam and splashes. I water the cache pot once a week on average with a few drops of baby bio orchid food.

Just googled the zygopetalatum and it looks incredible. I do love the phalenopsis, but it’s all you can get locally. I’m hoping to find some new varieties.

I aspire to having a vanda one day but they're meant to be murder to look after. I went to the last orchid show at Kew and they were everywhere - not just the usual blue, but pink and orange as well. It was breathtaking!

@CheerfulBunny

I aspire to having a vanda one day but they're meant to be murder to look after. I went to the last orchid show at Kew and they were everywhere - not just the usual blue, but pink and orange as well. It was breathtaking!

That’s definitely on my to do list, i really enjoyed the programme on Kew it looks incredible.

Wow, the vanda is unusual.

It was amazing, I drifted around with my mouth open. Are you the Billybagpuss of the lovely peony thread, by the way? There have been some belters on there.

Wow, that display is something else.

Yes my peonies were amazing this year it’s a shame they’re over. The roses are looking good now though.