Growing Phrag. sedenii

[DelawareJim]

I'm looking for some tips on growing Phrag. sedenii.

I got a division from a proven performer at a local orchid greenhouse last fall and it's just been sulking since I got it. It's in a mix of Aussie Gold and long fibre sphagnum. It resides in my east facing bathroom window, standard room temps. I've been keeping it wet and fertilizing with 125ppm MSU every other week.

Any suggestions for a cultural change or to give a a kick start?

Thanks.

Cheers.
Jim

[John D.]

Add some oyster shell or dolomitic limestone several times a year. It will help keep th pH of the mix from getting too low even if the plant doesn't need the calcium.

[Brooke]

Increase the light - most phrags do great in catt light.

Brooke

[Lagoon]

Jim,
I agree, I would hit it with more light 12 -14 hrs per day.
I keep them under 4 to 6 tubes of T-8 lights at 4ft long.
Are the roots growing?

[lambelkip]

I agree, more light. most bathrooms are fairly dark. Phrag. Sedenii is also known to sulk after being divided, so be patient.
P.S.: The name should be capitalized (it's a hybrid).

[DelawareJim]

Thanks all. I'll increase both intensity and duration of the light and just be more patient. I think I'll throw a pinch of crushed egg shell in there too.

Yes, when I got it I was told it was recently divided and shown the mother plant it came from. Unfortunately I can't see the root system without unpotting it as it sits pretty low in the medium in a 3 inch pot. I'm dying to move it to S/H but I figured I'd best leave it be until I see signs of growth. Of course I'll probably miss the optimal S/H transplant window for newly emergent roots if I can't see what's going on. Might have to bite the bullet and take a peak this weekend.

Brooke, I don't mean to sound flip, but what's Catt light? I've not grown any Cattleya's so I'm not familiar with their requirements.

Kip you're right. Sedenii, which is a cross between longifolium and schlimii, should have been capitalized.

Cheers.
Jim

[Ross]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Thanks all. I'll increase both intensity and duration of the light and just be more patient. I think I'll throw a pinch of crushed egg shell in there too.

Yes, when I got it I was told it was recently divided and shown the mother plant it came from. Unfortunately I can't see the root system without unpotting it as it sits pretty low in the medium in a 3 inch pot. I'm dying to move it to S/H but I figured I'd best leave it be until I see signs of growth. Of course I'll probably miss the optimal S/H transplant window for newly emergent roots if I can't see what's going on. Might have to bite the bullet and take a peak this weekend.

Brooke, I don't mean to sound flip, but what's Catt light? I've not grown any Cattleya's so I'm not familiar with their requirements.

Kip you're right. Sedenii, which is a cross between longifolium and schlimii, should have been capitalized.

Cheers.
Jim

While I haven't grown Phrags, I grow lots of Paphs and mine get dappled full sun when the sun's out. I measure nearly 3000 Foot Candles at times. The plants sit behind a window screen in a south-facing window. If you repot, try clear pots so you can monitor roots. Try for pot-bound, though.

[Brooke]

I'm sorry Jim I thought everyone understood the term. Catt light means very bright - not full sun but close to it.

The optimal time to switch a phrag to s/h is when a new growth begins which means new roots forming. I had my Sedenii in s/h and I moved it back to my seedling bark mix - it wasn't as happy in s/h as some of them can be. It does great just sitting in a saucer of water.

Brooke

[quiltergal]

I grow mine sitting in a saucer of water also. It's growing like a weed and has bloomed faithfully every year with more and more flowers. Mine is getting close to Cattleya light. It sits right behind them on the rack.