Looking for a Besseae

[kiki-do]

Hello
I've really been captivated by pictures of Besseaes and just started to look online at different venders for one and I would want it blooming size.
I'm not finding any right off quick, although I am not spending mega amount of time searching.
Questions: Are they usually hard to find?
Are they expensive compared to other types?
Are they difficult to grow as a windowsill grower that I am?
I suppose I should do more research instead of bothering you all, but I love to hear actual feedback from you experts and not-so-experts. I think that is priceless information....and I appreciate everyone's opinions.

[littlefrog]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Hello
I've really been captivated by pictures of Besseaes and just started to look online at different venders for one and I would want it blooming size.
I'm not finding any right off quick, although I am not spending mega amount of time searching.
Questions: Are they usually hard to find?
Are they expensive compared to other types?
Are they difficult to grow as a windowsill grower that I am?
I suppose I should do more research instead of bothering you all, but I love to hear actual feedback from you experts and not-so-experts. I think that is priceless information....and I appreciate everyone's opinions.

THey aren't usually that hard to find... And they are often expensive compared to other types. Actually they are probably easier to grow in a windowsill than in a greenhouse, in my opinion. They don't like to get hot in the summer, so if you have air conditioning you should be set. I don't think I'd make it your first phrag, but if you have a few others doing well for you it is a good choice.

I used to list them on my website. They may not be there anymore but I still have some if you PM me.

Rob

[Dorothy]

Besseae hybrids are a very good way to go as a beginner phrag -
I can tell you I have had an excellent experience with Lance at Orchids Gone Wild (ogonewild on eBay) - Excellent Phrags from Orchids Gone Wild
There are some beautiful hybrids as Gore - Gore Orchid Conservatory - Phrag Catalog - Phrag orchids for sale
Perhaps someone with first hand experience with them can give you some feedback .. ( I have heard good things about them)
Here is a past thread on slipper vendors in the USA -
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ndors-u-s.html
I hope this helps

[cowboy51278]

Also try Bloomfield Orchids. Joes a great guy and has some nice stuff.

Bloomfield Orchids Specializing in fine paphs and phrags!

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Hello
I've really been captivated by pictures of Besseaes and just started to look online at different venders for one and I would want it blooming size.
I'm not finding any right off quick, although I am not spending mega amount of time searching.
Questions: Are they usually hard to find?
Are they expensive compared to other types?
Are they difficult to grow as a windowsill grower that I am?
I suppose I should do more research instead of bothering you all, but I love to hear actual feedback from you experts and not-so-experts. I think that is priceless information....and I appreciate everyone's opinions.

Kiki,

Phrag. besseae is probably one of the most widely available of the Phragmipedium species. The first of the original plants were sold for $1,700 but as of today, you can get a nicely formed flowering one for:

$12.95 (origin from OZ, which is Terry Root's godly outcrossing!)
Phragmipedium besseae Orchid Plant - eBay (item 310042077341 end time May-16-08 21:10:52 PDT)

I find them easy to grow, very forgiving. I still prefer Phrag. dalessandroi over Phrag. besseae, though!

-Pat

[kiki-do]

Thanks everyone! I'm doing research of the different sites you all gave me. You are soooo helpful! I love OB.

[quiltergal]

Kiki, if you put them with your Phals they'll do fine. They are a little pickier about water quality. I'm watering mine with distilled and MSU. They don't like to dry out, so mine get a mid week water.

[DelawareJim]

Yes, thanks for the links. I've been coveting a besseae for a while as well. I really like Phrag. Jason Fischer (3N) but $23.00 with shipping on ebay is hard to beat.

Is anyone growing it S/H?

Cheers.
Jim

[DelawareJim]

Had to turn down a Phrag. Jason Fischer for $30 on Saturday. Boy did that hurt.

My wife and I went to out first Orchid Fest at Park Side Nursery last Saturday. Between the two of us, we picked up Oncindium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance', Paph. delenatii, Paph. (In-Charm White 'In-Charm' x niveum 'Nae Shan' SM/TPS), Phal. 'Mini Mark Holm', Phal. violacea var. Sumatra, and Dendrochilum wenzelii. Good thing we had a budget. You could really get carried away there.

Cheers.
Jim

[Mel]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Had to turn down a Phrag. Jason Fischer for $30 on Saturday. Boy did that hurt.

My wife and I went to out first Orchid Fest at Park Side Nursery last Saturday. Between the two of us, we picked up Oncindium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance', Paph. delenatii, Paph. (In-Charm White 'In-Charm' x niveum 'Nae Shan' SM/TPS), Phal. 'Mini Mark Holm', Phal. violacea var. Sumatra, and Dendrochilum wenzelii. Good thing we had a budget. You could really get carried away there.

Cheers.
Jim

I did get carried away there. I walked away with 16 plants and I was ready for more.