Good Phrags for noobies

[OOAJ]

Hi all, I'm going to an orchid show this weekend and I really want to pick up a phrag. and I was hoping to get some suggestions from the comunity.

I'm a windowsill grower right now with low to slightly higher than medium light depending on the window. As for temp, I tend to run a little on the warmer side, (no ac in the summer and radiant heat which lets me sit around in shorts during a Boston winter) but I'm playing with some ways to get things cooler, at least at night. I do get a break in the late fall before they turn on the heat and spring when they turn it off.

I really like the long dangly petals of the caudatum varieties and the bright red color of the beseaes. Naturally I thought a hybrid such as the Ruby Slipper would be ideal, but I've read that they are extremely slow growing. Also, the long petals weren't as long as I would preffer to see.

What I would like is a phrag that will not get huge, (has to fit on the windosill, say 2.5 ft max leaf hight/span, but smaller would be better), is not super slow growing, (I'm patient, but I like to see results too), and ideally, one that will flower in low to medium light, on a yearly basis if possible. As I said, I like the lengthy petals of the caudatum and the color of the beseaes, but if push comes to shove, I would rather have the long caudatum petals. Lastly, if there is something that would really fit my requirements but is slow, I could find a way to deal with that.

I would love to see your suggestions for hybrids, (or species for that matter), that would fit these requirements so I have something to keep an eye out for at the show.

Thanks in advance.

[Bud]

Since you are going to an orchid show...then youre lucky you can see the plant you will buy and can do the ratio of its size to your window sill...ask the seller if it is blooming size(BL) or if it already flowered before. Those are the plants you want. seedling can be medium sized and you may think its the perfect size for your window but they can grow huge through the years...

I am a newb with phrags too and bought my first one just couple weeks ago. I wanted something similar to your description - compact, long petals and easy grower. Also I didn't want to pay a fortune being this my fisrt phrag.
After some research I ended up getting Phragmipedium pearcei from Ecuagenera.
Phragmipedium pearcei -
If it will survive - my next purchase will be
Phragmipedium pearcei x Phragmipedium schlimii which looks quite compact too but has incredibly pink blooms.
I don't know if it helped you.

[OOAJ]

Yes, that was very helpful. I realy like the pearcei; it seems like it would be ideal for my current growing situation and I also like the sequential flowering so I could have flowers for longer.

I like the color of the pearcei x schlimii hybrid, (and I certainly wouldn't complain if that's what I came home with), I just wish it had the longer thinner petals like the pearcei or a caudatum.

[Lagoon]

I think a phrag pearcei would be a wonderful choice to grow!
Another one that comes to mine is -- Phrag. Memoria Garren Weaver, is a cross of wallisii x pearcei. Beautiful long petals and a compact grower. Good water quality is a must to keep this one growing well.

I'm sure you would just love this one