They like LOTS of moisture, but they do best in locations where the (relatively poor) soil drains well.

Dendrochilum cootesii, one of my favorite Dendrochilums
Picture taken in Jan 2010

Wow! Ursula, don't remember that pic. Guess I missed it! Can you show us the whole plant?

Sure can!

and a single spike -

Here is one from Jan 2009 -
It blooms very reliably.

Soooo pretty.

I like those! Do they need anything special coddling? If I can grow phals and cats, do you think the Dendrochilums would fit in?

They have been pretty easy for me. I've had D. wenzelii the longest.

I like wenzelii too!
Lindsey, I find my Dendrochilums relatively undemanding. The spikes/blooms emerge along with the new growth. So they don't need a special chill or drying out. I simply water mine along with everything else. Light conditions are as for Phals.

Mormodes skinneri - not often seen?
picture taken in Jan 2002

I lost the plant a couple years after that, but I would give it another try.

Now that is really beautiful and strange!!!! I would love to try that one!

Mormodes skinneri is FABULOUS, Ursula! Ok, that goes on my "futures" list, for sure!

Epidendrum ilense
picture taken in February 2009 but could have been taken almost any time throughout the year. Blooms are produced from pendulous spikes at the tip of new growth and especially anywhere on old leafless canes.

Coelogyne fimbriata - picture taken in September 2009

Love those hairs!!

Ascocentrum christensonianum, growing beautiful new roots at the moment.
picture taken in December 2009

Beautiful...and love new roots!!

Anguloa virginalis -
picture taken in April 2007
it was late dropping the old leaves this year, hopefully it will still spike this season.