Hi allymarie. Like you I live in zone 10. That is a big influence on the components of my collection. I'm partial to brassavola. (lady of the night) and the various species. brassavola also makes excellent hybrids. There are extensive hybrid choices. Including Cattalea. The brasavolas grow here as if they were native to our environment. They are prolific in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Everybody in southern Florida needs at least a few...

Hi Shavedmonkey,

I've had a B. Nodosa for years, it hardly grows and never bloomed for me.I did have it under a tree for a long time and moved it to get more light a few months ago.Any tips to get it moving?Here's a pic.

Allymarie

My favorite orchid will probably be a surprise name: Bletilla striata. I use it as a groundcover in some areas of the garden. It is a breeze to grow, the foliage is attractive, and the pretty flowers last for months. I also favor Sobralia, another nice foliage plant that flowers for a few months during the middle of summer.

I don't believe there is a one-size-fits-all for collection growing. Here, for example, cymbidiums are extremely easy to grow outside year round. But in other areas of the country, they can be more of a challenge. If pinned down, I would probably just say a Phalaenopsis because they are easy for most to grow and often bloom for 6 months. But I don't have a single phal in my collection at the moment, so maybe that does not meet the requirements...

Allymarie,
Where do you live? Climate differences can change which orchids are easier to grow.

Here are a few that I really like:
Encyclia cordigera
Encyclia mariae
Encyclia vittelina
Oncidium ornithorhynchum
Oncidium varicosum
Cattleya/laelia tenebrosa
Cattleya guttata
Paphiopedilum hemryanum
Epidendrum ciliare
Tolumnia triquetra
Epidendrum scriptum
Epidendrum radicans
Brassia ochroleuca
All of the following dend. are similar in plant color, habiot and culture:
Dendrobium chrysotoxum
Dendrobium farmerii
Dendrobium densiflorum
Dendrobium thrysiflorum
Rhynchostele aptera
Trichopilia suavis

There are many more, but this gives you a good idea of what I like - big or large number of flowers for plant size, fragrance, and ease of growth.

My favorites for some time now have been the 'Cloud Forrest Plants'. Pleuros, Dracs, Masdies and a whole bunch of little minis that go with that group. After a year of begging, pleading and prompting, a Pleurothallis collosus is on it's way to me. I have not seen it yet, it's coming from Florida. If that thing will thrive for me, it could well become my all time favorite.

Check it out. The leaves on that plant are 5' off the ground.

http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/pleurocolossus.jpg

Nick

I've always liked Laelias as a group. I tend to like bright, solid color star shaped flowers.

Everyone should have a Neostylis, they stay small and are easy to get along with.

I was never a big fan of Oncidiums but lately I have been enjoying the twinkle type Oncidiums. They also stay small and make lots of scented flowers.

There's something about a large white Phal that is so elegant that everyone should have 1.... or 2 .

Hi Toluminamatt,

I know climate determines what we grow but people who live in similar zones can recommend orchids and favorites to each other.I have seen some beautiful orchids on this forum, looked them up to see if they are warm growing and bought them.I have a few of the orchids you mentioned in your list.

I live in Homestead, Fl near Miami

Allymarie

Allymarie, you know you live next to the AOS headquarters,right?

Try giving your moods a more light. Ideally it would have some purple on the leaves.

Here's a nice list of orchids that have always had my heart:
Angraecum didieri
BLC George King 'Serenditipty'
Phalaenopsis violacea
Phalaenopsis bellina
Brassavola nodosa
Rhyncholaelia digbyana
Bulbophyllum medusae
Paphiopedilum delenatii
Paphiopedilum sanderianum
Paphiopedilum lowii
Phragmipedium grande
Epidendrum ilense
Epidendrum pseudepidendrum

Hi allymarie,

Brassavolla likes everything. Lots of water, fertilizer and sun. They also like to be mounted or the climb out of the pot. Like your nodosa. Notice how the active end of the rhizome is out of the basket. Encourage it. it will grow.

Below is a brassavola hybrid that is an easy grower.Blc rustic spots...

Thanks Shavedmonkey.I don't fertilize much but will start.I also have Bl Yellow Bird and one called Makai, spelling might be wrong.

Terpguy,I have a few on your list already.I love the George King.I went to an orchid festival today but didn't see it.I love cattleyas and laelias.

Allymarie

Here is my nodosa, it looked just like yours a few years ago. I think once yours gets a little bigger it will flower more.

Lumpy, your Nodosa is so healthy. I had mine under a mango tree for years.I guess it's a strong little thing to have held on so long from my neglect.Flowers are gorgeous.

Allymarie

Can be temperamental but what a show. Brassia edvah loo. These are special for me.

Wow, these are quite spectacular. It goes on my SBOE wish list.

Nick

Dendrobium Udom stripe
Oncidium Killer Bees
Dendrobium Enobi
Epi Ilense
Epi Costa Rica
SLC Seagulls Mini Cat Heaven
Vanda Gordon Dillon
Vanda Teres V andersonii
Dendrobium Puxie Princess

Hello everyone!

Here's my list of favorite orchids:

Angraecum sesquipedale: huge plant with huge blooms that smell great a night; an easy grower and reliable bloomer.

Rhynchostylis gigantea: reliable bloomer, great scent, and colorful flowers, also easy growing

Dendrobium superbum: beautiful pendant canes with either lots of foliage or tons of flowers; the dry winter rest make these easy to care for as they need little attention half the year

and finally ... Brassavolas!

Brassavola win the day!

Yes. They're so easy to grow and the foliage and flowers are very pretty. I imagine they are practically weeds in Zone 10-11. Would look really cool covering the trunk of a palm tree or growing on the side of cement/stone wall. My favorite so far is B. subulifolia (previously B. cordata).