Old Grower, New conditions

[Diane]

Hi! I have grown orchids since the sixties so I am an old hand - BUT - I always lived in California. A few years ago I lost all of my orchids (almost 300). Then I lived in Montana for a short time where I grew two Phals in windowless bathroom under a grow light. Now I live in Arizona. I have a very small space allotted to me to grow a few orchids by a west facing window. However there is a house next door, quite close, so I don't get a lot of sun. Also, we have double-paned tinted windows. The temperature is not under my control, the air conditioner is set for a high of 77. I currently have two rescued noid phals that have put out new roots and leaves, but will have to wait months to see if they spike.

I long to grow a Catt (or relative) but doubt it would like the light or the temp. Anybody out there in similar conditions with some advice? Is there any hope I could once more grow and bloom my signature C. Bob Betts???

Diane

[Carolla]

Gosh I don't know! I have a C. Bob Betts about to bloom now, what a wonderful orchid that is! Mine is in a southern window, it gets lots of light and some heat in the summer (the AC can't keep it quite cool when its 115 outside!). I live in Eastern WA in the semi desert part of the state. If I were you, I'd just try it. I totally get your love of that plant! Maybe you can add a grow light to it also? I've had Cattleyas under lights, they did ok, but they were small ones and I wasn't trying to bloom them, so I don't know about that.