Phrag. besseae & Phrag. Schroderae

[daemondamian]

I just got my first ever two phrags at an auction I went to on the weekend: P. besseae `HighEnergy` x `Tangello` and P. Schroderae.

My vague impression up til now has been Phrags are similar to Paphs but like to be kept wet?

Three pages I found with google on besseae:
Phrag besseae culture - growing tips
Phragmipedium Orchid Care - Carter and Holmes Orchids Culture
Phragmipedium besseae
indicate it requires constant moisture, even sitting in water?

There didn't seem to be much information about Schroderae other than it is a primary hybrid?

Would semi-hydro possibly be a good way to go with these two?

The first two photos are the besseae, the other one with multiple growths is the Schroderae. I got them for AUS $10.00 each!

[Toddybear]

The besseae is a bit small but the Schoderae is huge!

[Elena]

Great choices! I don't have any Phrags yet but those two are up there on top of my Wish List

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Elena

Great choices! I don't have any Phrags yet but those two are up there on top of my Wish List

Yep I've wanted a besseae since seeing a lovely one grown very well by someone [sorry I forgot who ] here on the OB.

[Lagoon]

Congrats on your new slipper, Damian
I don't think phrags are hard to keep, you just have to keep them pretty moist.
I don't grow any of these wet as in sipping saucer water, but I do water often and don't allow to go dry.

I grow my slippers in peatmoss with lots of rok and sphag-moss also with added coarse sponge rok.
My Bessaea's crosses are keep only slightly cooled - 68 nights to 72 day, Then abit higher during the summer season - 75 degrees' no higher. LOTS of fanning under moderate lighting.

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Congrats on your new slipper, Damian
I don't think phrags are hard to keep, you just have to keep them pretty moist.
I don't grow any of these wet as in sipping saucer water, but I do water often and don't allow to go dry.

I grow my slippers in peatmoss with lots of rok and sphag-moss also with added coarse sponge rok.
My Bessaea's crosses are keep only slightly cooled - 68 nights to 72 day, Then abit higher during the summer season - 75 degrees' no higher. LOTS of fanning under moderate lighting.

Thanks Gloria, that is very helpful information . Obviously I need to think about how often I want to water it to ensure it never dries out and so that it fits in with my watering habits.

Either semi-hydro or a moisture retentitive media/mix could be good choices.

I did think maybe about dividing the Schroderae to try it in various culture [semi-hydro, or sphag mix or chc etc] and see what works best but then I think it would be criminal to divide it as it is so healthy in it's current pot and mix and if I got it to flower as is now with that many growths I would have quite a display- I'd hope

[Eric M Muehlbauer]

Both phrags are easy to keep...especially the Schroderae. Between the 2, besseae will take lower light and more moisture. I am not a fan of semi-hydro with phrags. My standard phrag mix is bark (fine, but medium is OK) sponge-rock, and chopped NZ sphagnum. Schroderae is MAGNIFICENT! Don't divide it...I find it an irregular bloomer...sometimes it will bloom 2-3 years in a row, other times it waits up to a few years between blooms. The more growths you have, the more likely you are to see regular blooms. Take care, Eric

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Toddybear

The besseae is a bit small but the Schoderae is huge!

Todd,
great to hear that about the Schroderae the auctioneer indicated I got a good deal on that. I've counted roughly 15 growths 80% mature the rest new shoots and younger growths.

I was also the only bidder on both Phrags ..

Yep the besseae is quite tiny.. it may take a while [years?] before it flowers?