Several years ago when I first began to grow orchids, somebody published a
list created by poll of growers/vendors, I'm not sure which, of the Top 10
orchid species. The criteria, which made the list particularly useful for a
beginner, were easy-to-grow (probably for the home or garden rather than
greenhouse) in temperate climates, floriferousness, aroma, general interest
(peculiarities). The only species from that list that I recall are
Brassavola nodosa and Neofinetia falcata, and that's because the list led me
to acquire those species.

Does anybody recall that list? Where I might find it now?

Or better yet, would the inmates here care to exchange our own ideas on top
10 orchid species? What are your favorites?

Mark,

Cattleya dowiana
Neofinetia falcata
Polyrrhiza lindeni
Phalaenopsis violacea var coerulea
Cattleya lueddemanniana
Paphiopedilum philipenense
Brassavola nodosa
Cattleya hardyana
Paraphalaenopsis denevei
Vanda coerulecens

Mick
www.OrchidFlask.com

--------------------------------

Mark,

An impossible task! Here are a few. I'll think on the rest, but I know it
would be more than ten. I tend to favor the ones in bloom. ;oD

C. harrisoniana
Bulb. dearii
C. amethystoglossa
Epi. alata
Liparis viridiflora

Diana

This group was certainly not picked for their ease of growth!


"Mick Fournier" wrote in message
...
Mark,

Cattleya dowiana
Neofinetia falcata
Polyrrhiza lindeni
Phalaenopsis violacea var coerulea
Cattleya lueddemanniana
Paphiopedilum philipenense
Brassavola nodosa
Cattleya hardyana
Paraphalaenopsis denevei
Vanda coerulecens

Mick
www.OrchidFlask.com

--------------------------------

Gee, the ones on my list are pretty straighforward as far as culture. I'm
not familiar with all of Mick's, but seeing as how he is so successful
perhaps I should be........

Diana

On Mon, 07 Apr 2003 22:47:50 GMT, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:

Gee, the ones on my list are pretty straighforward as far as culture. I'm
not familiar with all of Mick's, but seeing as how he is so successful
perhaps I should be........

Diana


But what is easy for me, is not for you.
I would tend to say
Epi. Stamfordianum
Paph hybrids
Phrags
Ascocenda's in general
Most of the crosses that end in ARA -
They are intergeneric crosses that were not around when I
started.

I also agree with Diana - if it is in bloom when you get it, you
will have an easier time re-blooming. You will find out more
about it and treat it with more respect than if it is just
"another seedling."

Notice I avoid all Phals - My conditions are too cool for good
Phal growth. So 'FOR ME' they are difficult.

When I grew under lights and in window sills, I grew big catts.
Now the catts grow with less light and easier household
conditions.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

A search of Google Groups led me to this list from 1999. I have copied
it below.

Nothing is ever deleted from the web.

K Barrett
______________


Hong,
Intermediate growing plants may be your best bet with those temp
ranges. Sediera japonica, Paphiopedilum delenatii, & Oncidium
ornithorhynchum would be some you might investigate. If you can provide
the humidity, Pleurothallids might be fun. Masdevallia discoidea is a
pretty species and Pleurothallis grobyi is an interesting plant. These
are all personal preferences on my part. I live in Central Texas, so
the upper temperature has been my limiting factor. The American Orchid
Society site ( http://orchidweb.org/ ) has a local society page, maybe
you could find a meeting and visit with them, as well?? Also, the
orchid mall ( http://www.orchidmall.com/ ) provides access to many
sellers who could help. I hope this "list" gets you started! Email me
if you have any questions. Good growing!
Vanessa

Hong Zhong Lu wrote:

I live in Milwaukee, WI. I'm looking for recommendation for
1) air conditioned/heated house with natural south window light
temp year around: 65 ~ 80

2)natural south window light but temp may go ~50 in winter.

--
******************************
* Jeff & Vanessa Castleberry *
* *
******************************

S

My favorite species flowers:

Paph.roebbelinii
Trichopilia suavis
Paph.lowii
Bulbo.echinolabium
Lycaste skinneri
Phal.violacea
Cyp.macranthos
Vanda sanderiana
Disa uniflora
Laelia purpurata


And then there are favorite species, which though the flowers aren't
individually faves, the overall plant performance makes them favorite
plants like: Ansellia africana (hard to beat easy-to-grow with 150
fragrant good-sized flowers every summer!), Phal.schilleriana (currently
40 flowers open looking for all the world like a delicate cloud of pale
pink butterflies), and the little Cirrhopetalum with the pink umbels
which has bloomed eight times the past 12 months, often on multiple spikes!

And, when they become legally available, these will join the list,
provided I live long enough to survive the delays caused by the whole
CITES crap (after all, all the Phrag.kovachii were about to be farmed
over - and that land has been since. Isn't anyone GLAD some got saved by
being collected????To think that it was almost lost without a trace.):

Paph.vietnamense
Phrag.kovachii

And, though I do love species, let's not forget hybrids can be lovely
and in some cases even better (any doubts, just take a look at a
Trichopilia Charles [marginata x suavis]:
http://www.orchidcourt.com

Tennis

Mine a
paph concolor
paph delenatii
paph vietnamense
mexpedium xerophyticum(where to get???)
phal gigantea
phal violacea v. borneo
vanda coerulea
paph bellatulum alba
ency. cochleata
polyrrhiza lindenii
"tennis" wrote in message
...
My favorite species flowers:

Paph.roebbelinii
Trichopilia suavis
Paph.lowii
Bulbo.echinolabium
Lycaste skinneri
Phal.violacea
Cyp.macranthos
Vanda sanderiana
Disa uniflora
Laelia purpurata


And then there are favorite species, which though the flowers aren't
individually faves, the overall plant performance makes them favorite
plants like: Ansellia africana (hard to beat easy-to-grow with 150
fragrant good-sized flowers every summer!), Phal.schilleriana (currently
40 flowers open looking for all the world like a delicate cloud of pale
pink butterflies), and the little Cirrhopetalum with the pink umbels
which has bloomed eight times the past 12 months, often on multiple
spikes!

And, when they become legally available, these will join the list,
provided I live long enough to survive the delays caused by the whole
CITES crap (after all, all the Phrag.kovachii were about to be farmed
over - and that land has been since. Isn't anyone GLAD some got saved by
being collected????To think that it was almost lost without a trace.):

Paph.vietnamense
Phrag.kovachii

And, though I do love species, let's not forget hybrids can be lovely
and in some cases even better (any doubts, just take a look at a
Trichopilia Charles [marginata x suavis]:
http://www.orchidcourt.com

Tennis

SBF,

Hard for you... easy for me.

Mick

Paph. appletonianum
Asctm. miniatum
Brs. verrucosa
Phrag. besseae
Euanthe (Vanda) sanderiana
Cycnoches cooperi

And about 4000 more...

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit

I agree with Rob. Why would I have a 2500 sq ft greenhouse if I had just 10
favorites?

"tennis" wrote in message
...
My favorite species flowers:

Paph.roebbelinii
Trichopilia suavis
Paph.lowii
Bulbo.echinolabium
Lycaste skinneri
Phal.violacea
Cyp.macranthos
Vanda sanderiana
Disa uniflora
Laelia purpurata


And then there are favorite species, which though the flowers aren't
individually faves, the overall plant performance makes them favorite
plants like: Ansellia africana (hard to beat easy-to-grow with 150
fragrant good-sized flowers every summer!), Phal.schilleriana (currently
40 flowers open looking for all the world like a delicate cloud of pale
pink butterflies), and the little Cirrhopetalum with the pink umbels
which has bloomed eight times the past 12 months, often on multiple
spikes!

And, when they become legally available, these will join the list,
provided I live long enough to survive the delays caused by the whole
CITES crap (after all, all the Phrag.kovachii were about to be farmed
over - and that land has been since. Isn't anyone GLAD some got saved by
being collected????To think that it was almost lost without a trace.):

Paph.vietnamense
Phrag.kovachii

And, though I do love species, let's not forget hybrids can be lovely
and in some cases even better (any doubts, just take a look at a
Trichopilia Charles [marginata x suavis]:
http://www.orchidcourt.com

Tennis

Thank you all. Since I sarted this, I ought to weigh in. What I've seen so
far indicates the high level of expertise here. Most people without
greenhouses and having to deal with winter find it difficult (I do) to bloom
vandas.

Anyway, my favorites include:

B nodosa
Epi. stamfordianum
Phal. stuartiana
Soph. cernua
Paph. lowii
Paph phillipinense v. reobelinii
Enc. alata
Phrag. longifolium
Neofinetia falcata
Bulb. (Cirr.) makoyanum

From: Rob Halgren
Organization: Michigan State University
Reply-To: Newsgroups: rec.gardens.orchids
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2003 10:21:51 -0400
Subject: Top 10 species?

Paph. appletonianum
Asctm. miniatum
Brs. verrucosa
Phrag. besseae
Euanthe (Vanda) sanderiana
Cycnoches cooperi

And about 4000 more...

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit

I haven't checked, but were they picked because Mick has them for sale?

--

Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids
http://www.firstrays.com
Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!


"SBF" wrote in message
...
This group was certainly not picked for their ease of growth!


"Mick Fournier" wrote in message
...
Mark,

Cattleya dowiana
Neofinetia falcata
Polyrrhiza lindeni
Phalaenopsis violacea var coerulea
Cattleya lueddemanniana
Paphiopedilum philipenense
Brassavola nodosa
Cattleya hardyana
Paraphalaenopsis denevei
Vanda coerulecens

Mick
www.OrchidFlask.com

--------------------------------

Ray,

My, my... now what a strange coincidence that is. But then again
whowudathoughtit but another orchid peddler?

Mick

PS, three of them are not in my catalog.