Phragmipedium potting

I got my first Phrag, it is Phragmipedium pearcei, and temporarily potted it into clay pot with sphag. I wanted to find out how it should be potted for the best results. It will be indoors with about 60% humidity and around 21-22 Celsium temps, or I can put it in the basement where is a bit cooler.
I have sphagnum moss, CHC and Shultz bark mix.
Also I have:
clay pots, clear plastic pots, clear plastic pots with slits on the sides, regular green plastic pots.
What would be the best combination of pot and medium for my pearcei.
This phrag will define if I will be buying more of those, so I would really like to keep it alive and happy.
Thanks a lot.

[Eyebabe]

I have a Phrag. Eric Young in s/h which it loves!
It has grown vigorously without blooming for four years and just yesterday I noticed two buds on it.
It is a large plant about eight growths in an 6 inch pot.
Since I have given it lots more light for the past 6 months it has graciously budded for me now.

I also have a phrag cross: Phrag Magdalene Rose 'Mother' 4N x Phrag besseae 'Paute' which is potted in a medium bark mix. This one is not doing as well but probably because it gets a bit too dry in between waterings.

The medium for phrags is not suppose to dry out.
It should drain well but retain moisture.
OrchidWiz recommends fine fir bark with perilite in a plastic pot.

In my limited experience of two...I like the s/h and eventually will switch the other plant over.

Otherwise, humidity range is 60-70% ideally.
Temps 58F-75F with medium dappled light...although I found stronger light was necessary.

gl

Thank you Eyebabe. I don't do s/h, so I went and bought Shultz bark mix and it is soaking right now. I am going to pot it into clear plastic pot and will see how it goes.

[keithrs]

Pearcei should be potted up in in a mix that drains well, allow to almost dry out in-between waterings. Roots will rot if grown like besseae or schlimii. You basically want to grow them like a Paph.

A mix of fine and medium size bark with alittle perlite, and some play sand, works well.

Thank you keithrs. I thought all phrags like their feet wet. Good thing I asked.
Also the roots on my phrag look white and some are brownish. They are quite firm but didn't turn green when I I watered them. Does it mean they are bad?
Thanks again.

[Lagoon]

Hi THere

You're new Phrag would do better if kept in a moist mix. This phrag is a wet growing orchid. It would be great if you could couple sphagnum moss with some perlite.

I grew my phrags in peatmoss and some bark for many years until the quality or peatmoss went down hill. Now I grow in coco mixed with perlite and some charcoal.

This phrag is also fussy with water quality. Its best to use R.O. or distilled water or it will grow slowly and the leaf tips will turn brown. It does NOT like alot of minerals.

You're tempts are good. I like to grow my phrags is catt lighting during the colder months. As summer approches I keep them abit more on the dimmer side and keep them as cool as possible. The don't really like the heating above 75 degree's.

Also some folks keep their pearei's in vase culture and change the water every week.

Its nice to see others getting into phrags. You've made a great choice

[Jorch]

My pearcei (and other grassy leaves species) grows and blooms well in semi-hydro with sumisoil (very small size hydroton). They love to be kept wet and bright all the time in intermediate temperature.

I'm not sure how big are the pieces in the Schultz bark mix, and how often do you water it. Clay pot with sphag+perlite is good but you might need to water more often to keep the media moist all the time. Otherwise plastic pot with fine grade bark mix with perlite and sphag is also good. If you are afraid of root rot, use the smallest pot possible for the root system

Thank you Gloria and Jorch.
I think my bark is more on the medium side, not very fine, but mix has perlite and some black pieces, perhaps charcoal.
I potted it into this mix in the plastic clear pot and will water before it dries out completely.
I am worried that roots are not green when wet, some of them are white, some are brown; some peeling off and some are pretty firm.
Does the old growth put out new roots or my only hope is that small new growth?
Here is the picture of my pearcei newly potted. Does it look ok?

[keithrs]

The roots will stay white to slightly tan. Looks good.

Originally Posted by keithrs

The roots will stay white to slightly tan. Looks good.

Thanks a lot. Those roots wouldn't let me sleep .
I feel better now.