Hi,
I need some help. I have to write something about the best blooming bang for the buck and while I know the basic bloom times for the slippers (obviously) and most of the more common genera (Catts and Phals at least,) I could use some longevity information on some of the genera I have no clue about such as Vandas, Dends, Pleuros/Masdies, Bulbos (I know some are sequential but are they similar in longevity to sequential Phrags?)

If any of you who grow some of the more obscure genera could weigh in on some of those that bloom for the longest periods, and whether or not they'd be good beginner plants, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

i've heard mastersianum blooms can last about three months in the jungle. i don't know if that's entirely true, though.

i don't think masdies last very long, a week or two. i could be way off.
most catasetums last only a week or so, as well

I've had Dendrobiums and Cybidiums bloom for up to 4 months. My parents had a Dend. in bloom for over 6 months. I've also had Miltoniopsis go for almost 3 months. None of them were species.

Heather,

Some of the angraecoids and dendrobiums can last for 2 months or more. The lycastes and zygopetalums last for about 3-4 weeks.

Many new growers truly love the thought of blooming an orchid 2-3 times annually. Some of the mini catts will do this.

Dendrobium cuthbersonii flowers can last for more than 6 months

I agree with Dendrobium cuthbertsonii. I heard a person who brought the plant for judging so many time that the judges got fed up with judging the same plant over and over again. They can last for up to 9 month on a single bloom. My friend had trouble growing it until he grew them like Phrag besseae except that he had an automatic fine mist that sprays the growing area every hour for about (5 seconds spray cycle) from 6 am to 5 pm daily during the summer hot spell. In winter the automatic fine mist spray the growing area from 6 am to 1 pm.

Paphman910

Thanks all, keep 'em coming!

If anyone has any particular favorites they like for their length or proficiency at blooming, I'd love to hear 'em!

(Where's Jane? She's always good for these questions!)
What about something like a Rhynchostylus (or Neo for that matte)? Do they bloom for a particularly long amount of time?

I have had Ascoscenda hybrids bloom up to 4 months, and phal hybrids last up to 6 months. B. Nodosa lasted about 3-4 weeks, but gave more blooms after that one faded, stans last only a day or two :(

Most latourae Dendrobiums should last at least two months. But an important factor for how long blooms last for any orchid is ambient temperature and humidity. In general, flowers last longer if the air is a little on the cool side, especially at night. And adequate humidity ensures longevity. Or so I've observed with the plants in my home vs. the greenhouse where I work.