What Orchid can I grow in a south facing window?

[Trixie]

I have a south facing window that gets lots of light. I’ve been growing phals in the west windowsill and am looking to venture into growing other orchids. I want something that doesn’t require weekly watering and can bloom 2+ times a year. I am located in Toronto, Canada. Thanks.

[King Kjeldz]

hope someone helps u...i live in the tropics and have never grown an orchid indoors....and im not familiar with windows and sunlight intensities etc

[tucker85]

I would go with one of the mini-cattleya alliance orchids. Something along the line of a Ctna. Why Not. Cattleyas only need occasional watering during the winter months. Some of the small ones bloom more than once a year. There are some growers that specialize in mini-catts.. There are some dendrobiums that would be worth considering also. If you research on-line don't just look at what the flower looks like. Look for descriptions like 'strong grower', 'vigorous grower', 'reliable bloomer', 'suitable for window sill growing'.

[Chris1140]

Also I would advise to pick "compact growers." One large plant can fill your whole window.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Good advice from Jeff!!

cheers,
BD

[pavel]

The biggest issue may be your desire for "not needing weekly watering". IME, most indoor plants do need weekly waterings unless in very water retentive media -- and such media would not suit most orchids. Before addressing this further, I need to ask ... How cool do you keep this windowed area in the winter?

The temperatures you will provide will in turn affect how much water is needed and which orchids I would recommend.

[Magnus A]

What kind of window do you have?
Is it a modern three layerd isolated energy glass or an old normal glass window with one or two layer of glass, or something else?
The window will filter the light and depending on what window you have the light will be more or less harmfull.

Pavel´s queation on the temperature in the window is also relevant. If you have "old" windows there can be a significant lover temperature on the widowsill than in the room.

[Trixie]

It’s a newly build house so the windows are very well insulated and energy efficient. The window is very big and covers an area of 8 by 8 ft. The temp right by the window is about 2-5 F higher with the sun than the room temperature. I have a small coffee table of phals currently doing well with indirect lighting in this area.

I also have two small south facing windows on the second floor where I keep my other houseplants that have been growing really well. On the window facing the plants, I have applied an opaque glass adhesive to filter the lights and the other window overlooking the stairs has no covering. This area is hot compared to the rest of the house. Daytime it’s about 78 F vs the rest of the house is at 72 F.

Thanks for the advise.

[Magnus A]

As you seem to have well isolated modern windows (though I do not know the building codes in Canada) you should be able to grow most of the normal species in the window. You will not have problem with high energy light burning your plants but be carefull of heat buildup in the leaf. As long they not feal hot to touch it should be OK.

/M

[Trixie]

Thanks for the help. You just gave me the go ahead to spend. LOL.