Looking for suggestions - rescue this Phrag besseae

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I'm no expert on phrag and I only have one, which is not the same kind either.

However, as you say, the thing is like bone dry and the leaves, especially the new growths look very nice.

I would stick the whole thing in very moist mix of some sort and wait.

I noticed a significant enhancement of plant growth once I started to put my phrag in a saucer full of water. I was surprised how much they enjoy being in water! lol

It's actually quite wet - I only let it dry a short bit when I was on vacation a little over a month ago. There is soggy Sphag in there with the roots (perhaps not enough) and it sits full time in an inch of water.

I was once told that the most important thing with besseae is to keep it wet with clean water. I agree!

[jeremyinsf]

Silly me. I know better. Here I am saying the "flower is small" but flowers aren't full size the day they open. It takes them a couple days to swell and fill out. The color tends to develop too!

So, here is the flower, larger - and more red. (taken today)

[No-Pro-mwa]

I love it, beautiful.

[Vanda lover]

I want one of these in the worst way! I just now contacted a grower for advise on which hybrid is his best bloomer. They have an open house this weekend!

[jeremyinsf]

I'm really, really behind in my picture taking, and posting, but I wanted to put this update here. The spike is now on flower number nine, and 10 is developing. I thought it would be done by now - This is nearing the end of month number five! I don't move the plant around or mess with it. I water it by topping off, and let it grow.

(The others in photo are paph primulinum on flower number 10, and a druryi bud on a plant with 20 growths!)

[No-Pro-mwa]

Wow, just amazing. It is a very happy plant. so you don't flush it even? You just put water in on top?

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Wow, just amazing. It is a very happy plant. so you don't flush it even? You just put water in on top?

Yup.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Well that sounds a lot easier than taking them to the kitchen to water. I like things good and complicated. Hee...hee.

[jeremyinsf]

I think leaving this plant alone and letting it grow helped it thrive. Less messing with it and having it have to adjust all the time. They don't move around a lot in their native environment!