You likely saw either a Cymbidium or a Phaius. Do a quick Google image search to see if that's what you saw. Neither are really beginner plants and they both need tons of lights that artificial light simply cannot provide, unless you go really hardcore with high pressure sodium or the like (don't - it'll cost you hundreds just to buy the lights, they take tons of power and put out lots of heat too).

Generally, beginners start with Phalaenopsis, or the moth orchids that you'll see available pretty much anywhere. Thing is, they prefer intermediate to warm house temps, but on the other hand, they don't need tons of lights and will do very well with artificial light. They're also not fussy about humidity. I've included below a link to cultural notes developed for indoor growers. While zone 8 is nowhere near as far north as I am, they can still be a useful starting point. You might be better off with Oncidium. Many enjoy being a bit cooler and you could get away with artificial lighting, although they do like good humidity. Most orchids don't need lots of special care - you just have to know that many are epiphytes, which means their roots need air, so no dirt and no always being wet. Beyond that...

We can probably give you more detailed advice with a little bit more information. What are your approximate day and night house temps? You say you do not have any sunny windows - which directions do your windows face and are they not sunny because they're obstructed or some other reason? For artificial lights - I'm assuming you mean fluorescent tubes? What state are you in? What is your experience with plants?

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Julie

I've spent most of my energy on my yard and it is now a pretty nice tropicalesque garden--bananas, cannas, gingers, bamboo, aroids, hibiscus, ornamental grasses, ferns, tons of lilies, etc etc. I'm generally good with houseplants, terrariums, and I have a Wardian case waiting for the right plant. I have a medium-size collection of tillandsias, most of which I gathered myself in Central America, and I'm very familiar with their care. They would be happier with warm, sunny windows, tho. If I could treat an orchid like a tillandsia, I would be OK---no potting medium to worry about.

I read and saved the orchid-culture site--thx. Now I'm thinking that I should use either a terrarium or Wardian case with a heat lamp when it is cold, & a florescent lite if needed; the humidity would be high & consistent. Any suggestions?

Let me be bold and suggest something I usually wouldn't do. Take a look at the Masdevallia and Pleurothallid alliance. They are not beginners' plants, but your conditions could be right for them. They like high humidity (terrarium/Wardian case - check), cooler temperatures (check) and most don't require lots of light (fluorescent lighting - check). The only two other things you would have to be careful of are air movement and pure water - these little guys are sensitive to dissolved salts, so hopefully your tap water is really low in TDS, you collect rain water or have access to RO water. They are smaller plants, usually potted in sphagnum moss, and like staying pretty moist all the time. And watch out for summer temperatures - they need cooler temperatures year round (you didn't mention if your house was also cooler during the summer, or if it got really hot then). The thing is, these are some of the coolest orchids around and pretty neat. They also come from the same places as your Tillandsia. If you've got the conditions for them, go for it!

If you'd like to start with something a little easier and more common, I'll reiterate my suggestion for Oncidium and would steer you towards the ones with bigger flowers in whites and purples, like Beallara Tahoma Glacier (do a Google image search, then look for something similar). You won't need the Wardian case (they'll be fine with house humidity, especially since you're not in the desert) and they'll enjoy the cooler temperatures. Be sure that they have some sort of day/night temperature difference (easy - lights on, warmer; lights off, a bit cooler). You will need some supplemental light, though, but they'll be fine with the fluorescents. They will be potted in a bark mixture, maybe with some sphagnum moss. Repot every couple of years in an "orchid mix" available at HD or the like. Water when the plant is dry, about every week or so. You'll be able to tell by the weight of the plant. Those pseudobulbs at the base of the leaves store water, so they don't need to stay very wet. Fertilize every other watering or so. And voila!

Julie

Good luck,
Jane

I would begin by assessing my indoor environment, and by doing a little research into the types of orchids that might best be suited to the conditions I had to work with.

Everyone recommends Phalaenopsis for beginners, but in my own environment, it turns out that Dendrobiums are better suited to the conditions. Phals do ok... but the Dens are a little happier.

Keep in mind that a green thumb is actually knowledge, and that luck plays no role in successful container growing. If you learn the basic relationships between the factors that make up a potted planting, such as the medium, moisture, fertilizer, light, temperature, humidity, and the plant behavior, and you expend a little effort, the possibility of success is raised so much more.

Happy Growing, with whichever orchid type you choose!