"J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07...
My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for
sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am
quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my
conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well.

I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows.
I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right
under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf
level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to
medium, but mostly low.

The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it
can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the
winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s.

Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the
summer, harder but doable in the winter.

I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last
has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a
second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success
though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried
anything else yet.

Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric
Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a
miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything
else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I
don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here,
but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated!

Joanna

Hi Joanna, I would say--go for the intergenerics!!! That's all we
really grow (some others) but I have found the Oncidium family to be
easiest & most prolific bloomers. Never have tried growing indoors but
after Francis & Jeanne (hurricanes) I have several thousand plants
that wish I had. But they are survivors. You can find a care sheet on
my website: http://www.orchidislandorchids.com It will tell you how we
grow them--then you just adapt !! Marfitch is one of the best purples
in the family--some wildcats are good too & there are a few that are
tougher. If I can ever help with culture- just email me at:
william-30529@ msn.com Bill