Question
Hi Jim

Thanks for your reply. I live in San Jose, near Bascom Valley Med Area. If yuo could suggest a much nearer orchid nursery in the area I definitely be there soon. But if none then I'll try the one in Livermore.

Thanks again for your very informative reply.

Rogie Lee

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Followup To
Question -
I am in California and I am planning to buy a cattleya as a plant in my apartment. I am wondering is it possible for this orchid to live inside the house? Is catleya a sunlover orchid that needs to be outside? If so, are artificial lighting can be a substitute?

Pls. let me know. Thanks.
Answer -
Hello Rogie,

The answer is a maybe.  Most Cattleya orchids require quite a bit of sunlight in order to grow and bloom.  How much light?  Enough for the leaves to be a light to medium green color.  Unless you live north of San Francisco (you didn't mention where), you might be able to grow it in a south exposure window and have some success but it would be better if it were grown outdoors for much of the year.  In southern Ca. you might have to give it some afternoon shading to prevent leaf sunburn.  

With all that said and done, there is a category of orchids in the Cattleya family that you might have better success with and they are the miniature types.  Miniature Cattleyas do not grow as large at their brethren and most can be easily grown on a windowsill all year round.  

Again, you didn't mention where you live in Ca. but if you live within driving distance of Livermore, you might try going to Fordyce Orchids who pioneered the hybridizing of miniatures.  If you'd like to go, the address is 1330 Isabel Ave., Livermore, Ca. 94550.  The owner Frank Fordyce is semi-retired but his daughter Sue now manages the nursery.  

Hope this helps answer your question.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.

Answer
Hi Rogie,

Hi neighbor!  Well, almost neighbor.  (grin)  I live near the Oakridge Shopping Center.  

There are several orchid nurseries in the area plus a couple of orchid shops but I'm not sure if they are still open as I have not gone to either in over 6 months.  

The closest nursery is south between S.J. and Morgan Hill.  It is Valley Orchids and is located on Miramonte Ave.  Take 85 south to Bailey Ave., to Monterey Rd. south to Palm Ave. to Daugherty Ave. south to Miramonte Ave. (turn right) then about a quarter mile, nursery is on the left (small sign at entrance). Valley Orchids specializes in phalaenopsis but often have other types of orchids available.  It is closed on Mondays and get a shipment of new orchids on Friday.  

Further south in Gilroy is Orchids 101 that is located near the Outlet Mall.  You may have seen it when you drive to/from the outlets, it is near the overpass with no exit just north of the outlets.  Take the frontage road Uno Noname (I think that's the name) just before the outlets (Denny's Restaurant on the corner) then drive north past the hospital.  Orchids 101 also specializes in phalaenopsis but has a few other orchids available.  

As for the orchid stores near you, I forget the names but here are the directions:

Los Gatos: Santa Cruz Ave. south almost to the Post Office and the shop is on the right side, small park across the street.  Prices at this store are a bit high due to the location - in my opinion.  

San Jose: De Anza Blvd. off 85, go right about a half mile, look for a car wash on the right side, shop is in the back of the small shopping center next to a Christian Store.

Both of these stores carry miscellaneous orchids depending upon season but the De Anza store is larger and thus has a larger selection - again my opinion.  

By the way, there are 2 orchid societies in San Jose.  The Santa Clara Valley O.S. meets the first Weds. each month at the American Legion Hall on Minnesota Ave. in Willow Glen.  The Malihini O.S. meets the second Friday at the Hewlett Packard facility off Wolfe Rd. in Cupertino.  Both have lots of members and usually have a few orchids for sale by members and sometimes the featured speaker.  Both start their meetings at 7:30 P.M. and end before 10 P.M.  

Hope this helps.  Happy shopping!  (grin)

Jim