Killing my Phrag.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

I received this Phrag a month ago. I am killing it and I don't know why. Its leaves are so paper thin and delicate- two of them turned yellow, then dried up and died. I grow it with the same conditions as my Phap. (which isn't doing any better), I think its getting too much light but it dosen't receive any direct light. Its under grow lights, shaded by other plants.
I grow it on a heat mat to keep the plant warm in my Michigan home.
I water when dry. Does this plant grow in complete, dark shade? I don't know what to do.
Thanks

[neophyte]

I am by no means a Phrag expert but I think one of the #1 rules of Phrag growing is to always keep them moist and wet; don't let them ever dry out.

[SouthPark]

I agree with Neo. Try to keep the roots moist. Or if they do dry out - then don't let them dry out for too long.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Perfect, thanks

[SouthPark]

I grow a Grouville, and a Elizabeth Castle - both in say 5 to 8 mm diameter scoria. Had these for a few years ----- and have found that temporary dry out is no problem. And they can certainly handle moist media all of the time. No dry out is really needed for these ones.

[estación seca]

I would not use a slotted pot for either genus. Don't repot now, but put a saucer under the Phrag pot and stand it in a quarter inch of water. Refill it as soon as it goes dry. Most Phrags grow in shallow rivers or ditches, right next to rivers or ditches in soggy soil, or on mossy rocks in rivers that are always wet. Most Phrags are good in Cattleya light if they're always moist.

There are several groups of Paphs. Most don't like drying out, but they shouldn't be kept as wet as Phrags. Some prefer low light, some intermediate and some higher. What do you have?