To reassure you: No, I have not left the premises; No, I was not shy. Yes, I am busy because I am a consultant presently occupied by some contract work and by writing scientific publications. No I am not ignoring the time and energy you have all been spending so generously. Lindsey was right, though, that I was preparing my “wish” list.
Another important reason why I had not answered faster is simply that I am between 6 and 11 hours ahead of you (depending on where you live in the USA) (see below). I was sleeping while you were posting.
Let me tell you again that I am overwhelmed by your kindness and knowledge. Thank you. In light of this, I wanted to take the time to give you a clear reply to the questions that you had for me.
As I stated earlier, I live in Michigan, however, I am now in Mallorca (Spain) until early June. In Michigan, I have a large windowsill facing East (morning sun) that received 3-5 hours of direct sunlight every day. Because the window faces tall trees (about 30 feet in front of the windowsill), I have more direct light in Winter than in Summer. I have not yet measured the luminance level, though. I have a few miniature Phals (and a few other orchids that were given to me) that I keep in an open transparent plastic tray that measures about 30” by 14”. I always have water in the tray and the plants are on a plastic grid placed an inch or so above the water level. At the center of the tray I have a small computer fan that blows on the water, so I can have 50 to 65% humidity. The temperature is typically controlled between 55 degrees F and 75 degrees F (depending on the season). There are my growing conditions. However, I have some other constraints. Every year, I am in Spain from mid-January until early June or so. Right now, a good friend of mine who is an orchid fan is taking care of my orchids during my absence. However, if I extend my collection, I will have to use the care of a plant sitter (who comes once a week for my wife’s cactuses) while I am away. Therefore, I will have to have orchids that can survive with a once-a-week visit for 4 months of Winter (May is still often Winter in Michigan!).
Now we get to the crux of it, and you may find my expectations too specific and overwhelming.
But, all taken together, I would like to find orchids that:
1. Are small (about 6” max for leaf length); “miniature” (maybe ”compact”) might be a better word;
2. Are easy to take care of (for weekly visits during 4 Winter months);
3. Still have nice (or unusual) flowers (1” or more);
4. Can be grown in a small pot (3” to 4”);
5. Does not have to be mounted;
6. Does not expand too much (except if it can be divided and given away);
7. Have a long blooming season (a few weeks or more) or repetitively bloom (not a sine qua non condition, though; depends also on the nature of the flower);
8. Bloom at different time of the year, hoping to always have something in bloom during the whole year.
Evidently, this is a very specific “wish” list and I do not expect that many orchids would fit all these criteria, although there are so many species and hybrids. But, as an example, I recently got Phalaenopsis violacea var. Borneo x violacea var. Borneo "Pacific Isle" [bellina], which fulfills most of the criteria above. At this time I do not consider adding artificial lights and do not have an automatic watering system, but it may eventually be a consideration in the future.
I am a new member of our local Saginaw Valley Orchid Society.
I thank very much each and everyone of you who have so kindly posted replies to my question, i.e., Ken, Ursula, Lindsey, Daisy, Jim, Elaine (I love your quote!), Alice and Heath. I have read all your comments and I have taken the time to find out more about each of them.
Thanks!
Jacques
