Orchids for window growing?
 

I need to seek advise from orchid experts. I would like to grow some orchids at the window of my apartment. Appreciate if someone can tell me what species of orchids are best for this environment. I understand that there are species that can be grown indoors or with lesser sunlight.

Below is a picture of my window growing area. I posted this before in my thread on Tills.
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The window receive evening sunlight from around 3.30pm to 7.00pm and I spray water on my plants there once a day.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Hi David,
I'm no orchid expert, but on my part, I would personally go for jewel orchids, like Ludisia and Anoectochilus as I understand they are adapted to grow under low light conditions, ie: forest floor. They have a special vein pattern structure and red colouration beneath the leaf to allow light that penetrates the leaf to be absorbed back into the spectrum. Jewel orchids are interesting in that they come in a variety of colours and shapes so you might want to consider growing them. :smile:

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Thanks for the info. Will check them out

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

David,

Me on the other hand would suggest phalaenopsis. Go for novelty type like violacea. It's free flowering, very fragrant especially in the morning and they have long lasting bloom too. Don't bother about all the 'perfections' in the flowers as those plants are truely expensive. Just go for its scent.

In the end....just follow your heart. What do you really like! Then go for it.:1thumbup:

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

My 2 sen: David, depending on how humid your windowsill is, you can go for phals, as suggested by atmccmn, but they require high humidity but perfect drainage. Or you could go for minicattleyas (epicattleyas, ottaras or potinaras) which can tolerate drier conditions. Cattleyas are suitable if your window receives a bit of direct sunlight. I see neps hanging from the ceiling, which means light levels should be ok.. most importantly, bear in mind that orchids are NOT like CPs. while CPs don't mind being potted in moist sphagnum all the time, orchids like phals potted in sphagnum must be watered only when the top layer of sphag becomes dry. Keeping them wet continuously will result in root rot and eventual death of the plant. It is better to repot all new orchids in charcoal and water more frequently to be on the safe side. Good luck. :)

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Ok Andy. Thanks.

I just tried googling for phalaenopsis but all the sites jut show pictures of the flower. How do I recognise a phalaenopsis from other orchids? Does only phalaenopsis flower have scent?

I bought one plant lately but not sure what it is. I'll post it here later.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Well my phal is a failure lol....I don't fertilise it or anything...I leave it in a "windowsill" Something like that...Quite bright light but not as much as my balcony..Its potted in charcoal...It stays motionless haha...Well i can't blame it cos i torture it...I only water them maybe once every 1 or 2 weeks lol..

Ken

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

I'm getting all confuse already... all these names are foreign to me and I have no idea how they look. Nurseries in Malaysia are just interested to sell and they do not know what name the plant is. Ok, ok, I'll do some research on the internet.

But would be great if an orchid grower from KL can be kind enough to go with me to the nursery to point out which is which.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Paphioboy,

I think humidity should be ok although I have never really test with a hygrometer. I have a humifyer pond there. Hopefully the conditions are ok. My Tills are doing ok.

Can I grow them in wood bark? If I use charcoal, must I use pots with holes at the side or just the usual plastic baba pots?

By the way, thanks for the advise.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

David, I grow my orchids in coconut husk chips and charcoal. Coconut chips have a great water absorption capacity but they are not wet to the touch. Once orchid roots establish themselves on the chips they will be able to draw water out of the chips like a sponge. It's a great material to have especially if you're worried about watering the plants that might probably make a mess indoors. Plastic pots or clay pots, that will depend on how frequent you need to water your plant. My two cents...hope it helps *biggrin2*

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Ok, here's the pictures of the plant I bought last weekend. Is this Phalaenopsis? It came in a very small cheap flimsy plastic pot with sphagnum moss.

I took it out and attached it to this piece of wood. Stuff just a little sphagnum moss around the roots. However, in the process I broke some roots. Hope this is not harmful to the plant.

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Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Yes David. That is a phalaenopsis. Looks like phal violacea. :) Phals are easily recognizable as they have a few large, soft leaves and no pseudobulbs. If you are serious about orchid-growing, I suggest you invest in a book. 'Growing Orchids in the tropics' by OSSEA is a good one, as the info is easily applicable to growers in the lowlands. No need for greenhouses and the lot.. :)

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Thanks paphioboy.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Ken, you are watering your phal way too little. Once or twice a week is ok if the plant is in sphag, but in charcoal, daily watering is best. Especially in a dry, breezy environment like a windowsill.

BTW, David, it is a common saying that there is an orchid for everyone. Just depends on what you like. to distinguish between the commonly available genera, try googling 'dendrobium, phalaenopsis, cattleya, oncidium'. all these are easy to care for and reward you with bright colourful blooms that last up to 2 months. Just pot in charcoal and care as for Nep. Miranda or ventrata. if you are looking for something more exotic, (easy to care for but with interesting shorter-lived flowers), try catasetum, bulbophyllum, or cycnoches. :)

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it. Just want I needed. :)

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Bought 2 more to add to my collection... :laugh:

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Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Nice Dendrobiums David! There are some miniature varieties which you can try finding at some of the stalls down at sg buloh nurseries (if lack of growing space is concerned).

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Those smaler ones would be nice. Will look around and see. Tks.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Nice healthy dends to start with.. :) You might want to repot them after they bloom as the roots are trailing off everywhere.. Use a clay pot that is just slightl;y bigger than the current pot. Dends don't like being overpotted. :)

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Ok. Thanks for the advise paphioboy

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

I few plantlet, if you want...

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Hi KC! Thanks. I've sms you. :)

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

I just came back from Sg. Buloh nurseries. Can't help myself and bought 2 orchids again. It was at the spur of the moment and I did not find out more about them before I buy them. I may regret this decision and kill them in my growing environment.

Can somebody help me out with the names and a little information on them please?

This is a small fella with cute small flowers...
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The flowers of this have a certain smell. I wouldn't say I like the smell a lot but it sure is beautiful. I kept asking the nursery person whether this is a highland plant as I do not want to grow highlanders. She said no. Not sure if I've been cheated.
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Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

David, the first one is an oncidium. Sorry! me also don't what name it was. All I know is oncidium. Mine was mounted as I was advised to plant it with coarse charcoal. It comes in an array of colors like pink, maroon, yellow, red & etc.....
The second one is maxillaria......something. I also have that mounted to driftwood. I put mine at very shaded area so, it looks like a bulb sprouting grass..:laugh:

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Thanks Andy,

So both species roots needs to be very airy and plants needs to be placed in a more shaded area?

The maxillaria flowers really have a pungent odour. Let my son smell it. he said I don't like the smell... haa, haaa... actually after smelling it a couple of times it does smell a little like amonia. But I just love the leaves. It's different from the usual orchid's leaves.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

The first one is a tolumnia/equitant oncidium. You seem to have a good buy there as your plant is a large clump with many fans of leaves. I haven't had much success with tolumnias before, but they can be grown in pots or mounted on wood. They do not like to be exposed to heavy rain. Tolumnias are warm growers and come from South America.

The second one is Maxillaria tenuifolia. Not sure about the culture but most books and sites list it as intermediate/cool. I have had mine for about half a year now and it is growing well, but no flowers yet. Apparently it is a seasonal bloomer and now is the peak blooming season. andy, I grow mine with dendrobiums so it gets a fair bit of light. I heard that catasetum culture is best, so it must be watered heavily when the new growths form and kept dry after the bulb is mature to induce blooming. David, I thought it is supposed to smell like dry coconut, not ammonia..?

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Thanks for the info paphioboy. Appreciate it. Let me go back and smell it again. I have a little bit of sinus problem and maybe I did not get the smell right.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

No wonder my maxillaria never bloom untill recently. Even worse....I only found out after seeing the flower leftovers at the base of it's bulb. Thanks for the info.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Paphioboy,

Went back yesterday and smell it again. You're right! It does smell like coconut.

Re: Orchids for window growing?
 

Well, Andy, at least yours bloomed. Mine not blooming this year.. :mad: