Starting with Phrags -- some questions

[dlewan]

I'd like to introduce Phrags to my collection.

I grow "on window sill". I have strong S-SW light. The environment is air conditioned, hitting ~ 24°C in the afternoon with a slight drop (say ~20-22°C) at night.

1. What would be a good plant to start with? (In a previous life I'd had several under lights.)
2. What's a good vendor? (Paph Paradise has a pretty small selection at the moment.)
3. Given that their moisture requirements I was thinking about a potting mix of mostly LECA with some sphagnum and a tiny submersible pump circulating a constant stream. (I'm thinking of how I'd seen them growing on rocks in or right next to streams in Ecuador.) Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Keysguy]

My first caution would be that they love good air flow, humidity and water so growing in AC is going to be a real challenge. Other than that, I'm afraid I can't help you. I will say I have friends who have had success going hydroponic with Phrags indoors but they do it in a basement where there is no AC.

[Ray]

If space is not an issue, look for a division of Sorcerer’s Apprentice. It seems to be a very robust and tolerant plant that blooms pretty freely. The potential drawback is that they have 18”-20” leaves or so.

Mine is in semi hydro culture and has been for 20 years since I got it. I divided it about every 2-3 years when I had a greenhouse, but now that I am a summer-outside/winter-inside grower, it is growing a shade more slowly.

If you’re interested in a variety, consider Lehua Orchids, but you might want to share an order with others, as Graham has quantity minimums.

[camille1585]

Phrags are relatively new for me (4-5 years?) but can say that Phrag Sedenii (and other longifolium crosses) are compact enough for window sill growing, take rather high light, and have proven adaptable to indoor growing conditions. Sorry I can't help with vendors as I'm on the other side of the pond...

[Jmoney]

most phrags are easy to grow. AC won't bother them as long as you keep them wet. circulating water seems nice but in my opinion completely overkill. most put them in saucers and the "wet feet" helps tremendously.

if light is intense, just put them back a bit from the window. most of them like decent light, maybe low cattleya range.

you might want to email Bill Goldner at Woodstream to get his new list. he grows lots of phrags.

[Dalachin]

I am pretty new to Phragmipedium too, I bought several from Ecuagenera in the summer of 2022. I killed two, bloomed two, and have two that are coming along. Fritz Schomburg is super vigorous and has bloomed just sitting on a windowsill. It’s not small, but it is in a tall narrow semi-hydro pot so it doesn’t take up a lot of horizontal space. Leslie Garay lives on my warm tented shelves and has bloomed there.

I was also going to mention Woodstream, I have admired their collection of smaller hybrids.

[Keysguy]

Good choices Dalachin although anything with Kovachii in it can be a challenge, sounds like you've got it figured out.

[lobotomizedgoat]

I definitely recommend Phrag. Nicholle Tower (^see my avatar). I have it inside under a grow light with some indirect light from a nearby window. It's growing in orchiata & large pearlite and sits in/over a pool of water.
I water it every 3-4 with occasional supplement. The room has decent air movement from a ceiling fan and RH ~60-70%. It grows well and blooms for ~6 months straight (current bloom is going on 7). I also have a Phrag Sedenii next to it, but it's a bit less compact and hasn't bloomed for as long yet.

The Sedenii also has an annoying habit, which may be unique my plant and/or culture, of dropping old flowers while the new ones are a couple days off. Not a big deal, really, but I'm greedy and enjoy a continuous stream of flowers