Suggestions for a 8-12 mixed plant collection for blooms al year

[GenevaDad]

Can you guys give me some suggestions for a 8-12 plant mixed collection of plants that could give me blooms close to 12 months a year.

I currently have 3 Phal's (ready to bloom) 1 Phal. bastianii seedling, 3 small Catt. rescues, 1 Onc. Heaven Scent ‘Sweet Pea’ (small), and 1 B. nodosa ‘Mas Mejor’ AM/AOS.

Needless to say, I have a rather motley crew of orchids. I have good east and south facing windows for light. I have temps of 63 night 75 day with 50% RHD and live where it gets cold.

[tucker85]

For indoors on a windowsill I would look for orchids that bloom often or stay in bloom a long time. Don't worry if they have small flowers instead of giant colorful blooms. Look for phals that have a reputation for staying in bloom a long time. Sequential blooming phals, which are usually summer bloomers, only have a couple flowers open at a time but some, like my Dtps. Purple Martin 'Champion', can stay in bloom for more than six months. Look for compact growing cattleya crosses that bloom more than once a year like Brassocattleya Hoku Gem 'Freckles' which blooms several times a year. My Blc. Hawaii Stars can bloom four times a year. Paph Pinocchio has a reputation for blooming for long periods of time, in some cases more than a year. Good luck in your quest.

[cakedaddy]

I will second the vote for Hoku Gem...I have one and it blooms frequently. My maudiae type paph hybrids bloom frequently as well.
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[pavel]

Toss a bunch of minicatts into the mix. Many have no true season so you could have blooms at various times of the year. Haraella odorata blooms sporadically throughout the year as do some of the masdies & some of the other pleurothallids.

[Kassie]

I have had ordinary paphs that have bloomed for 3-4 months at a time, but I'm not great at keeping them happy yet. I have a friend with a no-id white paph that is pretty much in constant bloom. My Epi Green Hornet bloomed from April to October and has sheaths that seem ready to do something again. Rth. Ahchung Yoyo 'Little Goldfish' has bloomed 3-4 times a year through my learning stages. The Rth. Love Avenue I posted today last bloomed about 4 months ago. All the potinara/rhyncattleyanthe compact catts I've encountered have been fairly forgiving ready bloomers.

But really, Bob, 8 to 12?? Have we given up on the greenhouse scheme? By my count your collection already has 10--will some of these have to go?

[opaline]

I have had ordinary paphs that have bloomed for 3-4 months at a time, but I'm not great at keeping them happy yet. I have a friend with a no-id white paph that is pretty much in constant bloom. My Epi Green Hornet bloomed from April to October and has sheaths that seem ready to do something again. Rth. Ahchung Yoyo 'Little Goldfish' has bloomed 3-4 times a year through my learning stages. The Rth. Love Avenue I posted today last bloomed about 4 months ago. All the potinara/rhyncattleyanthe compact catts I've encountered have been fairly forgiving ready bloomers.

But really, Bob, 8 to 12?? Have we given up on the greenhouse scheme? By my count your collection already has 10--will some of these have to go?

Bob! Did you miss a '0' off?

[opaline]

Kassie, I have worked it out in mileage and you are the nearest. Check his blood pressure and if thats stable a bit of 'EST' - electric shock treatment. A slap wouldnt go a miss either, hes lost it.

I could fit 47 on a loofah!

[Kassie]

Matt, You are right--I get an uneasy sense that intervention is necessary after this question. I noticed the "How do I convince my wife I need a greenhouse?" tag line disappeared with this post. I'm wondering if maybe Bob revisited this discussion and his wife's response was "You may have x number and only if there is something blooming for the foyer most of the year."

Bob, tell her that is simply too much pressure for so few orchids. Then show her some of the lovely displays that Geoff has set around the house when his wife is expecting guests. They are gorgeous, play them up. . . then spring his greenhouse full of several thousand orchids on her. She'll come around.

[opaline]

Oh Yeah, never noticed that had gone! I think Plan B part 1 should now be put into motion, so far so good Bob, keep that little victory temporarily inconspicuous, we dont want to run b4 we walk. You have the Ace, just the Q,K and Jack to go. Dont mention orchids for a while and keep this site encrypted to avoid tracking history. Now express a keen, dedicated, must have interest in rearing chickens, summoning the help of close ones (loyal to u) to buy you chicken related items for all 'special celebration days' and public hols.

Cunning plan I hear you say! Leave imagery/ articles in open view and documentaries that emphasizes excessive mess, noise, smell, crapping all over the garden. All the bugs and mites infesting the home and old tat feathers tangled in faeces all over ur face as you sit up from soaking in the bath.

The rooster will seal the deal lashing out terrible, headache and nauseating chaos, and mating calls that amount to glass shattering loud insanity. Actually by 2 just incase you slaughter one instead of a hen as you turn kitchen into a blood bath. 8 - 12 should do it and by that time 80 - 120 orchids wont seem such a bad idea after all. Its all about the big picture. A lovely spray of dainty yellow blooms on show or farm yard anarchy

[siaogu]

JUst get a Bulbophyllum flabellum-veneris, one plant and solves all your problem :P