Oh my god there are soooooo many slippers to choose from, and YES some need more light then others to do well and flower.
I think if you really have ur heart set on a Bessae then go for it :cheer:
An Eric young will bloom under phal lights - no fussing with high lights, it's not the a hugh plant, rather nice and compact.
I think the mix you have mentioned will do just fine.
Mine are grown in sphag, added coarse rok another mix peatmoss with added rok. Heck why not throw yourself in a paph too, you don't want your only slipper to be lonely do you?? :evil:

There are plenty of phrag besseae hybrids you can obtain in the states. I wish I could get some, but the big famous breeders are in USA....I think all besseae hybrids will grow in similar conditions.

What about plant size, is that an issue? Longifolium and it's hybrids have long leaves, but they give that vigor.

Go for memoria dick clements, andrean fire, jason fischer, etc. for the hotest red even in warm weather where red can fade. These are the besseae crossed with Platypetalums (sargentianum, lindleyanum, kaieteurum) and then look for these ones that are then crossed back with besseae again for better shape. (Sorry I haven't memorized all the phrag hybrid names, but you can look in the registry) I am desperately wanting to get a Jason Fischer or similar!

nvm I wanted to see the names,so I looked them up

sargentianum x besseae = Memoria Dick Clements
Memoria Dick Clements x besseae = Jason Fischer

besseae x lindleyanum= Andean Fire
Andean Fire x besseae = Inca Fire

besseae x kaieteurum = Rosalie Dixler
Rosalie Dixler x besseae = not registered

And any crosses using the above hybrids I expect would bring colours to their progeny, and they have been used for many different hybrids. For example I expect my Phrag Tall Tails x Mem. Dick Clements to yeild very red versions of Phrag Ruby Slippers (bessese x caudatum)

I also recomend phrag Olaf Gruss, and other hybrids between pearcei, besseae and schilimii. Pearcei, besseae and schilimii are the low light phrags which are small plants and they will yeild compact plants when crossed together

Thanks for the info Fren. Space isn't an issue....yet:shock: . I was looking at the Jason Fisher online last night and it sure is a beauty. I'm leaning towards a more compact plant.

Gloria, heavens no! I wouldn't want my phrag to be lonely! LOL You guys are terrible. DH is going to divorce me!:biggrin:

Space isn't an issue? Then I'd get several :biggrin: :evil: You know DH would get a couple fishing rods or guns or whatever for his passtime, right :evil: :scratchhead:

Lonely is bad, Company is good :biggrin:
The way my DH and I work it out ... He gets power tools, I get orchids!
Fair is fair -- I also have the bigger lungs :evil:
Ooooh I love being a women :biggrin:

Ah yes Gloria, but I already have a room STUFFED with fabric for quilting. I also used to do stained glass but decided I had to let go of something. LOL DH is a very reasonable supportive human being. I just don't want to push my luck! ;)

Sounds about right. After all, the power tools make more noise :evil: (that's my other "thing").

You and me then ;) I was going to pre-order one from Orchid Inn but Sam's not bringing any Phrags so he didn't apply for a permit :_( I'll have to try Ratcliffe now as I want a nice one.

As far as Phrags go I also like China Dragon, Schroderae and popowii.