Just acquired a Phragmipedilum and i am looking for the basics

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

they like to be wet- keep the medium from getting completely dry ever.

I'm not absolutely certain about their limits. At the moment, I'm tending to believe that they can handle having dry roots for relatively short time. These plants are sort of slightly 'succulent' too (only slightly). They don't have pseudobulbs obviously. So probably can't handle being without water for that long, especially in relatively dry places - unlike orchids with pseudobulbs.

I grow mine all in 100% scoria. Small pieces for relatively small plants. Larger pieces for relatively large plants. I water the media each morning.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I'm not absolutely certain about their limits. At the moment, I'm tending to believe that they can handle having dry roots for relatively short time. These plants are sort of 'succulent' too, just like most of the mainstream orchids - except they don't have pseudobulbs. So probably can't handle being without water for that long, especially in relatively dry places - unlike orchids with pseudobulbs.

I grow mine all in 100% scoria. Small pieces for relatively small plants. Larger pieces for relatively large plants. I water the media each morning.

Thanks SP. do you have any reservoir or just free draining?

I was inclined to do the later as that is how i grow the vast majority of my 'chids but i was really having a tough time getting good culture info

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Thanks SP. do you have any reservoir or just free draining?

I was inclined to do the later as that is how i grow the vast majority of my 'chids but i was really having a tough time getting good culture info

Most welcome DC. The pots I use are very good drainage ones. And because I grow my plants on the floor hahaha (growing constraints), I use pot dishes - and make use of those plastic drainage grates, which always keeps the bottom of the pot above any water that drains through the pot. When I water (using the watering spray wand), I just send water down onto the media surface around the sides of the plant. The water just works its way down into the scoria, and gets absorbed - most of it. Some water will eventually trickle out the bottom of the pot and into the dish, which usually is evaporated by the next day. For my conditions here, I never need to empty out those dishes, as the dishes just become dry by the next morning.