All orchids growers, even the most experienced, haven't obtained our green thumbs without [unintentionally] killing a few of them along the way. Never let that discourage you. Glad to see that you have given it another shot. Orchids are a unique and mysterious plant family. They have a way of capturing our undivided attention and bending us to their will, haha. Even after a decade of growing [and occasionally killing] these plants, they never cease to fascinate me. Good luck with your 'chids. Hopefully the first of many. You have a lot of window space to fill up. :)

I am glad to hear you a back in the orchid hobby. It is always nice to hear from a fellow addict. I mean hobbyist.

I agree with TommyBoy. Orchids dying along the way is an inevitability. We just have to learn from our mistakes and try again. There are so many orchid options out there. You just have to keep learning and find your right fit.

Just curious. Why the focus on dendrobiums? There are so many dendrobrium species with such various culture needs. Are you targeting to specific group of dendrobiums.

Well, I started with phals, I wouldn't say I mastered them...but I could grow them and reflower for years.

I did Cats (didn't really like them though)...ugly plants and such high light hogs. Finally threw them out.

I did Oncidiums (rather liked them), and had some for years, until I moved and didn't have proper conditions anymore.

I tried dendrobiums (like kingianum and nobile types), I could grow kingianum, I killed nobiles. I never could flower any but Dendrobium phalanopsis of the ones I tried.

So, basically, I'm in the spirit of continuing adventure...try some that I think are darn cute, small, and pray for the best. Seriously, I did research them on the net based on other's experiences, and I had hopes that these would do well for my conditions in my new house. I feel I can do better with these, as they don't require winter chill, and grow year round, like most standard house plants.

Psychologically, I always preferred house plants that grow and change constantly...versus something like cats or cactus, that grow in spurts, with long periods of seemingly not much happening.

More answer than you wanted ?Sorry...:)

Seems I'm not far from you TommyBoy...being up the Springdale way myself. What are you trying to not kill right now ? :)

This post was edited by dbarron on Mon, Jan 19, 15 at 15:50

Hi dbarron,
Years ago I lived in Eureka Springs, Not far from you. I never grew orchids there.

Greencurls was indicating that there are 1400 or so species of dendrobium. And most every growing climate is represented. So if you killed a few dens. try a different one. And the local knowledge is always the best advice. There must be an orchid society. Google one.

Lithophytes, are plants that grow on rocks. I know that Arkansas has cornered the market on rocks. There are orchids that are lithophytes.

Unfortunately, I don't want rocks in the windowsills :) And I don't believe there are any lithophytic orchids that will take Arkansas's outdoor climate year round.
I have grown Bletilla outdoors on and off for twenty years with mixed results (depending on late freezes in early spring)...and would also like to play with Calanthes outside sometime.

I wonder if dendrobium speciosum in one of its variations would manage the climate. It grows in extreme climates in Australia. If not that one there might be others...

Well, the only native orchid species here are terrestial. Some are winter growing...but they have to contend with temperatures swinging from 110F in summer to 0F in winter...that's a pretty big swing. Unfortunately, our temperature is quite variable in winter, and last week we spent three days with mornings around 4F, and today the high was 68F. It may be 4 again in a week (lol).

If there were some species likely to survive, I'd be willing to try it.

Well the babies arrived today. The tanii is only days or weeks from a small sheath being open (showing color).
The laevifolium is the cutest tiny little thing.
They included a free gift of Dend 'Silver King', which I had admired on the web site just this morning....odd coincidence.

Hi,
Maybe some of the cool growing Coelongynes, Pleiones or Calanthes are something to look for, I have a Coel.. cristata
http://www.orchidspecies.com/coelocristat.htm
and when it flowers its great. Hangs whole summer outside in a tree (Halfshade) and I take it in just before frost about Nov. They said it can even witstand frost but not here to wet climate, most winterhardy orchids have to be dry to witstand frost..Also Cymbidiums are pretty tough and I like the new cascade types.
greetings