Learning about orchids has been on my life to do list for a while and
it's time to start. I have a problem though. I don't have any sunny
windows in my apartment. No East or West windows at all. What are my
options?

Thanks to anyone willing to help me scratch this off my list.

Ryan

Ryan,
Nice choice to pick for a to do list - growing orchids.
Can you give the group some more info? The windows you do have -
North or South? Do you have the ability to build or buy a shelving
unit? You can grow a great many orchids under lights. Are there any
particular kinds of orchids you're thinking of? Large or small
plants?
Are your windowsills wide enough to fit some plants directly on them?
Do you have any other types of plants you grow? If so, what are
they?
What temperature do you keep the apartment in the winter? Orchids are
grouped by temperature - warm (60F minimum nights), intermediate (55F
min. nights), and cool (50F min nights). The majority of cool growers
don't like daytime summer highs above 75F. These are guidelines, not
laws! There are somewhere between 25,000 to 30,000 species, growing
everywhere except (I think) true desert and Antartica - perhaps also
the Arctic. Rest assured there are still a lot of them that will do
just fine in your apartment.
I grow mine on an Eastern windowsill and a shelf in front of it with
some artificial lighting. I have about 50 orchids and a few
Tillandsia (bromeliad family). Some do great, some do Ok, and a
couple died. Some that I didn't think would do well are and some I
thought would do great didn't. That's part of the challenge and what
make orchids interesting for me. Getting them to flower means I'm
doing something right. If the flowers are pretty too, well it's icing
on the cake! I feel like that about cacti, too.
Sorry about all the questions, but to give the best advice requires
detailed information. There are many expert growers on this list -
I'm a hobbyist.

Now if you just want to forgo all that and just try your hand at them,
I would suggest Phalaenopsis to start. They are readily available and
can do well in bright light without direct sun. Ludisia, a Jewel
orchid, is another. My experience with Paphiopedilums is limited, but
I am doing well with a Maudiae type. And their leaves are nicely
mottled with light and dark green and silver. They seem to need a tad
more light than the Phals.
Good luck ... let us know how it's going.
Bob Campoli