On the lookout for Phrag

[Optimist]

Hi I would like recommendations for the Phrag species that is a moderate size, like a foot high leaves no higher, and shorter if possible, likes wet feet/semi hydro, with smaller media, and medium-light about 2400-3000 fc. Also not ultra-high humidity, only about 35%.
Are there any Phrags out there like that? Although I live in the desert, I somehow get away with growing plants that totally love the water and wet feet. So I have the conundrum of wanting plants who like wet feet and lower humidity above ground.

This could be a silly question, but I have found a few plants like this. Indian Paphs, for instance.

[estación seca]

Hi Optimist, The Phrags I've tried do well for me here in Phoenix in S/H. They have more than 35% humidity now but in the past they didn't mind 35% that much.

The ones with red or purplish flowers are generally bred from ancestor species that are smaller than the big ones with long mustaches. Phrag QF Maria did well and bloomed for me for many months with my high-mineral water in S/H, until a rat ate it. I had it in a 2-quart plastic deli container.

The smaller species tend to be more picky about humidity and water quality, so start with hybrids.


I got my QF Maria from Ecuagenera. I have since replaced it and it's again doing well. If you get on their E-mail list they will send notifications of periodic sales. Sometimes Phrags are on sale. They just had a Valentine's day sale and Phrag. Eumelia Arias was $17. Of course there are shipping and currency exchange fees as well.

Orchids Unlimited also offers some of these Phrags.

[camille1585]

I have a Phrag Sedenii which I think fits your requirements. It's a compact growing primary hybrid (Phrag. longifolium x Phrag. schlimii) and I think both parents are rather small as far as Phrags go.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Hi Optimist, The Phrags I've tried do well for me here in Phoenix in S/H. They have more than 35% humidity now but in the past they didn't mind 35% that much.

Yes, I am at about the same latitude as Phoenex. It gets quite hot inside too so during the summer it generally wavers between 80 to 105 (at the hottest) the humidity where they is now fairly even due to fish tanks. I started with some good phrags but had problems because I let them get too dry. I then got fed up with orchid care and kept only plants that thrived in hydro. I think I was letting everything dry out between waterings, but in the desert, like where we live, dried out has a different meaning.

I've seen some Phrag QF other crosses not Maria on Etsy. I think I'll get one --just one-- for a year. If I kill it, I will not get another. I am going to not go crazy and buy lots of plants like I did last time. That is absolutely what messed it up for me. I only have 4 orchids now.

Oh I am not buying anything till around May. I have had a plant freeze and I am not going through that again!

[estación seca]

Try really hard not to let Phrags in S/H dry out.

[Keysguy]

a 2nd for Sedenii. Solid old school hybrid that's a tolerant, easy grower and bloomer. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I have a Phrag Sedenii which I think fits your requirements. It's a compact growing primary hybrid (Phrag. longifolium x Phrag. schlimii) and I think both parents are rather small as far as Phrags go.

Thank you, I will look it up. I think I have seen it, but I have not owned one of those yet. I have had Phrag. Longifolium, and that is the muddy foot water running type phrag, so I think nearly any hybrid with longifolium -- if it is not too big might fit the bill. I'm just looking for some alternatives.

---------- Post added at 08:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:30 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Try really hard not to let Phrags in S/H dry out.

Oh yeah-- that is where I went wrong, and I deeply regret it.

[Optimist]

Well, I just bought the first phrag: The seller will keep it until it is safe to send through the mail. It is a multi-hybrid, seems like a small plant. It was multi-growth in a 5 inch pot-- so not a starter seedling. (Even though they are more expensive, I prefer to buy larger plants.

Phragmipedium QF Nohea (Patti McHale x QF Naukana Kealoha).

QF Naukana Kealoha = (Incan Treasure x longifolium).

Incan Treasure = (kovachii x longifolium).

Patti McHale = (pearcei x sargentianum).

I wanted that longifolium in the hybrid.

[camille1585]

Seems like a nice one!! How long are you going to have to wait before it ships?

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Seems like a nice one!! How long are you going to have to wait before it ships?

I'll tell you what! This is both funny and horrible. If I do ever have someone getting a group together for a buy from Equagenera I'll think about it, but right now I am just getting a few plants. So I bought an ebay plant as my first plant after a long time. I think 2016 was the last time I purchased anything. Like I said, I was very ill. Cardio-vascular stuff and I am lucky to be alive now.

So, I am sure they have ebay where you are-- am I? I don't know. I believe you had a Netherlands flag. (Forgive me, there are so many 3 colored flags).

So I bought it, because there was a notation on the person's seller page that they would hold the plant until the weather was good enough. I did not know where this person was situated, and this is a very large country with lots of local climates but once on a plane, they generally have a similar climate until they reach the truck.

Well, I was in shock when I got the email from the post office that it had been shipped and was due to arrive in 3 days (from yesterday 2-28-22). I checked today and found that the package was in the next state over, and other than chilly nights, we are "springlike here."

So my raging "Karen" temperament got put back into her box, and I did not make any attempt to contact the seller, because-- I think it will all be fine, but I wish I had some cannabis to smoke to calm down my anxiety.

At this moment it is 1 hour and 15 minutes by air, and 6 hours 50 minutes by truck from my town. They say it will be here on the 3rd. I hope it is not here by tomorrow because I will be in another town all day.

If I see a Sedinii I will grab it. I like to get them at more than one hand though.