What are good species/hybrids to grow in a cool greenhouse. We're zone 5 in northwestern lower Michigan, Winter sun is a rare treat in this cloudy area. Budget requires keeping our greenhouse temperatures set at 55 night and 70 in the day, average day temps is only 65 in winter. Which paphs can give us pretty blooms in the winter .
Thanks for your help and happy growing from Lindafrog

honestly that is the temps that i have in my orchid room in the winter. and i have bloomed all 92 of my paphs with those temps

What are good species/hybrids to grow in a cool greenhouse. We're zone 5 in northwestern lower Michigan, Winter sun is a rare treat in this cloudy area. Budget requires keeping our greenhouse temperatures set at 55 night and 70 in the day, average day temps is only 65 in winter. Which paphs can give us pretty blooms in the winter .
Thanks for your help and happy growing from Lindafrog

I like the handle, Lindafrog...

55 night is not all that cool, in my opinion. I'd call that moderate. And, chances are good that you have warmer areas than that, depending on where the thermostat is set. If you are growing phalaenopsis, then there isn't any paph that would be out of reach. You might want to stay away from P. sanderianum, which is majestic and a pretty devoted warm grower. But its hybrids would probably be ok. You can probably grow most multiflorals. Maudiae types would do quite well (mottled leaf). Any of the chinese paphs (armeniacum, delenatii, etc) or brachypetalums (concolor, bellatulum, niveum) would love your greenhouse.

Also consider phragmipediums. A lot of those wouldn't mind it cooler. Virtually anything that is red or pink is going to appreciate the cool nights. That means anything with besseae or schlimii in it. Hanne Popow (besseae x schlimii) would be just about perfect...

I grow in almost the same climate (mid michigan, cloudy all winter), and don't have a problem setting my greenhouse thermostat at 55. I suspect (heck, I know...) that a lot of my plants would do better if it were a few degrees warmer, or a little bit brighter. But the perfect spring and fall temperatures, and the moderate summer, more than make up for a few months of less than spectacular conditions.

I have to agree those temp should handel all paphs and most any orchid. I have a mixed collection including vandas and they all live just fine threw the winter lower temps. Sure the vandas sulk a little but they bloom 3/4 of the year for me. Most of my collection is paphs. and they all love those temps.

Bob

Is it hirsutissimum, or esquirolei that like it cooler? Or is it warmer?

Tadd: Yes.

Thanks to all for your quick and encouraging replies. What are some of your favorite cool growing species and hybrids.? I'll appreciate the names of some favorite showy bloomers to brighten up our long winters. I've grown phrags for years and yes Phrag Hanne along with Mem Dick Clements are thriving.
Happy growing
from
Lindafrog

nothing makes you happier in the winter than seeing a delenatii or armeniacum in bloom also a bellatulum would make my day :D

A fairrieanum makes any day brighter :poke:

Hi Linda! You can grow just about any paph under your conditions....maybe not the high light strap leafs, but even those can adapt if you have the patience....the "cool" paphs can do very well with far cooler temp's than you have...Take care, Eric