Question
QUESTION: I want to buy some orchids. But I don't know what kind would be the easy to grow. This will be my first orchid. I love house plants. So I thought maybe an orchid collection might be fun.

ANSWER: Hello Becky,

Yes, orchids can be fun to grow.  Some are relatively easy to grow while others not so easy.  

What kind of orchid to buy?  That would depend upon where you live and what you have as a growing area.  There are orchids that should be grown indoors and also outdoors.  

Some indoor orchids you might try are phalaenopsis, dendrobium, paphiopedilum, encyclia, epidendrum, miltonia.  All of these can be grown indoors with little problem under bright indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60F to 85F.  

Let me know where you live and where you plan to grow them and I can offer more specific advice.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jim,
I live in Southern Arkansas. I was planning on growing the orchid in the house in the winter in a South window. Then moving it out in the shade with Northen sun light in the summer.

Thanks,
Becky

Answer
Hi Becky,

Thanks for getting back to me with more information.  

As mentioned earlier, there are a number of orchids you can try growing in the house as most of them are basically indoor orchids there in Southern Aarkansas.  But the encyclia, dendrobium and paphiopedilum could be put out in a shady northern exposure once temperatures remain above 50F.  

From your note I am assuming you do not have a southern exposure site available, too bad as there are some orchids you could grow there that require more sunlight that a south exposure gives.  

If you get any orchids and would like some growing tips, write back with the name and I'll try to help.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.