my first two phrag

[Duane McDowell]

I'd second what everyone has said. Water quality (low salts) is very important. Phrags are the only orchids (besides maybe Draculas) that I would recommend growing standing in water, but ONLY if you are using RO or rain water. Growing them indoors, I would set them in a flat pan that is larger than the combined spread of the leaves and keep the pan partially filled with water (2-6cm deep). I would refill the water whenever it gets to 1cm deep. The water should be changed, the pan should be rinsed, and the plants should be thoroughly flushed once per week. After the flushing, you can fertilize with a very weak fertilizer solution (about 1/2 what you would use for other orchids).
Phrag. bessiae likes about the same amount of light as most paphs. Phrag. caudatum prefers brighter light.

[marydaniellesantos]

Originally Posted by fiskio

hi...
i've just received my first two phragrhagmipedium besseae and phragmipedium caudatum....
have anyone any advices helping me??
i ve put them into my greenhouse, but i'm afraid that it's too warm inside for them....
if i place them outdoor, they may have problem with the rain??
thanks a lot to everybody....

Hi,

I wanted to tell you that the phrag species like thier feet wet, and rain would not be a problem. Just something to keep in mind. Take care!

[jeffg]

Hi. I have heard caudatum is one of the phrags that resents having it's feet wet. I grow mine with pebbles in the dish so feet are dry rather than in a bowl of water.

We just had Glen Decker to our OS as well and he was simply amazing. The best speaker I have yet to hear. Very humble as well. One quote from his presentation "I tell my plants: either grow my way, or get out!"

I agree with the comments that water quality is important. I have a very deep artisan well, and even the sensitive ones dont seem to have a problem with the water from it. I was instructed to use a balanced fert with occasions peters cal-mag at 1/4 normal dose. The leave tips will indeed tell you what is too much fert.