I bought two Phrags by mistake, now one's in spike!

[Rosiefuture]

Sometimes it amazes me, for an intellengent woman, just how dumb I can be!

A couple of months ago I got a surprise present of some money from my Mum in the UK so I thought I'd treat myself to some orchids....as you do..lol

I probably bought about a dozen plants, among which I thought I'd chosen two good sized, healthly looking Paph's! The larger one has even put up a new shoot since I bought it home. The larger one was marked at AU$50 but the lady at the nursery gave it to me for AU$25 because I'd bought over AU$250 worth.

Well yesterday I was doing my usual weakly/weekly watering when I had a good close look at the larger plant and was amazed at what I think is a spike! Then I looked at the label and realised it doesn't say Paph it say PHRAG! I then looked at the smaller one's label and that is also a PHRAG! I don't have any other phrags, I've never owned a phrag!

Meet Phrag caudatum x self, who I believe is in spike?







And Phrag Tall Tails



I know absolutely nothing about phrags but I must be doing something right as I've had them a couple of months and they are still healthy.

Can anyone tell me how long the spike is likely to take to mature/bloom and what I am likely to see when it does?

Marion

[UKCat]

Well the 2 Phrags you have picked are both IMO stunning
and that is most definitely a flower spike and will take a while to get to full flower 6 weeks plus I believe

Both have the long 'tails' that I love with Phrags and both are multi flowering spikes, the spikes can get quite tall.
keep watering them as you are as they obviously like it.

the Caudatum can have a rose pink to yellowish orange pouch with stripes with a yellow to green hood
the Tall Tails is more overall yellow with hints of orange and green.
Plenty of photos of both of these on the net

Well done not the easiest of Phrags to flower what a great accident

[Rosiefuture]

Thanks UKCat, now I can't wait for it to bloom! It's very exciting!

Marion

[SpeciesNut]

Congrats!What a great surprise!

[Rosiefuture]

Yes it is, I still can't believe I read them as Paph! I bought some other paph's on that day and I must admit they were in another area of the nursery.

And yes, they really are paph's!

Marion

[tuvoc]

Good looking plants. Just a word of warning, Phrags can be VERY addicting! LOL

Kim

[Rosiefuture]

Originally Posted by tuvoc

Good looking plants. Just a word of warning, Phrags can be VERY addicting! LOL

Kim

Hi Kim, I'm an orchid junkie from way back but I've never had Phrag's or paph's before this year. I have probably well over 300 orchids but there are many species I don't have any of. Since Jan 2010, when I began to come here to the OB on a practically daily basis, I've gotten into indoor orchids in a big way. I have 40+ Phals, 5 Paph's and now 2 Phrag's!

I've looked at pics of the Phrag's on the net and I'm hoping that I can pull off getting this one to the blooming stage! They look incredible!

Marion

[dounoharm]

they are gorgeous plants and even more gorgeous in flower! both are impressive flowers, and you will love em! welcome to the phrag world!!

[Oscarman]

Love your title Marion, think I will start using when my wife asks about an orchid purchase....Oops I bought this by mistake!

Phrag. Tall Tails = (Phrag. caudatum X Phrag. wallisii)

Looks really good, sure you will do well with them. My experience with Phrags has made me pay closer attention to my water quality, leaning towards rain or RO water. Still very much a Phrag newbie though.

[Rosiefuture]

Thanks Dave, exactly what is reverse osmosis?

I'm just praying I can get this spike to the blooming stage.

Marion