Phragmipedium kovachii – rockwool cubes?

[gdupont]

Hi,

I just received a Phrag kovachii from ecuagenera. Does it look like it's in reasonable condition?

I'll be growing it under Barrina T5 lights in my glass Ikea cabinet. Each shelf has two lights. Photo at the end. Indoors, temps in the low 70s. Will be using "purified" water from a Brita faucet attachment.

Anyway, I'm thinking of potting it in rockwool cubes, aka Gordan grow cubes. Is that a reasonable media choice for this species? Would something else be better, like LECA?

Thanks!

[Roberta]

That looks to me like an excellent plant. I'd get it out of its "shipping environment" as soon as possible - Phrags HATE to dry out, and tend to be not very happy about being bare-rooted (as they have to be, for import) So get it into some proper medium right away, you can change it later, they don't mind repotting (many people repot Phags twice a year on general principles)

[Ray]

FWIW, my kovachii hybrids are doing well in a mix of LECA and roughly 1/3 rockwool cubes.

[gdupont]

Ok I pitted it in rockwool, it actually had a reasonable set of roots, and I was able to find a perfect sized pot. I’m going to try to find a clear one to put it in though.

Any other tips? Growing conditions sound ok?

[Roberta]

Brita filter doesn't filter out minerals. So essentially, you are using tap water. That's OK if it's low in solids. (My tap water, liquid rocks, is not good for Phrags, which want RO. But yours may be better) Temps sound OK.

[gdupont]

Good to know thank you Roberta!

[Jmoney]

seems reasonable. kovachii is well-known for not growing in acidic environments. I find phrags love sphagnum but not this one!

[gdupont]

Just an update -- I found three brand new roots tonight growing on this one! Seems pretty happy. The oldest growth died completely and the new little growth nub also died, but the two main shoots are doing well, leaves all look good, and I'm super excited about the roots! Seems the roc wool might be an okay choice after all, but I'm keeping a close eye on it.