Toronto - Suitable orchids

[Skylar]

Hi there;

I reside in Toronto, condo living.

Reaching out for advice on suitable orchids to grow,.

Phals - love Species. Pls recommend
Paphs - Tried and failed miserably
Other orchids - Pls recommend

Thanks for your help in starting my growing season - Spring is here!

[LuHa]

[zainal abidin]

Welcome.

[orchidlady]

How are you growing your orchids? What are your light levels, humidity, temperature, growing medium, etc.? I live in Seattle, Washington and grow my orchids in a condo. I have a lot of Phal. species, some Paphs., some Bulbophyllums, and a few other oddballs. I grow mostly under white LED grow lights on a cart setup. The lights are 48 inches long. The lights make all the difference in the world. I also have a windowsill with a few small plants with a 24 inch LED fixture. That particular window doesn't get much light from the outside. My lowest temperatures in the winter are around 67-68 degrees Fahrenheit.


Susan

[Skylar]

Thk you you sharing, Susan.

Growing conditions
Temp: Set at 23 degrees Celsius
Light: Southwest windowsill growing + small LED grow light
Humidity: Dry (with heater in winter and air-con in summer)

Toronto (like New York) summers are comfortable; the winters are freezing, dry, and windy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -8 °C to 25 °C and is rarely below -17 °C or above 30 °C.

What types of Phal species would you recommend

[orchidlady]

You might look into Phal. cornu-cervi. In my experience they like conditions a bit drier than most Phals, but they also tend to do better with more light. They also come in several color forms and once they start blooming they can bloom for years without a break if they are happy. I find Phal. stuartiana and Phal. equestris relatively easy to grow under standard Phal. culture conditions.

If your humidity level is below 50% you would probably want to look into a method of increasing humidity. This would be true for most orchids. Also, most Phals bloom better with a change in temperature between day and night, especially in the fall. This triggers blooming in the winter/spring for many of them.


Susan

[Skylar]

Thks Susan. Great advise. Will get P.Cornu Cervi
Also interested in P.Bastianni or Lueddemannia - which do you think is more suitable? Is P. lueddemannia a large plant?

[orchidlady]

I have had both. I traded my bastianii for a different plant some time ago. I currently have 2 lueddemanniana. I would say both plants are moderately sized. Not huge, but not small either. I find lueddemanniana blooms better with lots of light.


Susan

[magmaraft]

Phalaenopsis are beautiful and well suited in your place. Good luck!

[Sheryl]

Welcome !