Some Questions on "Phrags" . . . .

[NeoNJ]

I've decided to add a few Phrags to my collection of Paphs....and I have some questions...

I'm only asking coz I can't seem to find definitive answers on the Web.

I have Phrag. sedenii, Phrag Eric Young, Phrag Carol Kanzer, Phrag Mountain Maid....

It appears there are (2) types of Phrags - long-petaled and short petaled ??? Whats the cultural requirements of the Phrags I have which I believe are 'besseae' type short-petaled....?

I read alot about placing Phrags on "saucers of water".
What does this do ??? My first inclination is "humidity".
Is there another reason why people do this with Phrags?

Do they get fertilized with every watering ???

Thanks.

[quiltergal]

Neo, Phrags with a lot of bessea in their breeding like wet feet. Mine all sit IN saucers of water, so the media is constantly wet-moist. In it's natural habitat bessea grows on wet mountain slopes that are never dry. They like low to intermediate light ( I grow mine more on the intermediate side) I fertilize with every watering but I also flush well with RO or distilled water first to remove any salt build up. They are very picky about water quality.

[tuvoc]

I started growing them a few years ago, and have found them very easy. Like Terri said, keep them pretty moist at all times, the saucer thing works pretty well. Mine get fairly bright light, with humidity around 50%. Be forewarned, they can be VERY addictive. Good luck.

Kim

[NeoNJ]

Originally Posted by tuvoc

I started growing them a few years ago, and have found them very easy. Like Terri said, keep them pretty moist at all times, the saucer thing works pretty well. Mine get fairly bright light, with humidity around 50%. Be forewarned, they can be VERY addictive. Good luck.

Kim

Hi -
Thanks for the reply - what's the saucer of water for?

[Ray]

One of the keys to phrag growing is to make sure the medium is flushed frequently. In nature, many of them are found growing with their roots trailing in a stream, while others are on hillsides in rainy areas, so there is a lot of frequent watering with rapid drainage.

I grow mine in semi-hydroponic culture, and even if they stay wet (the reason for the tray in more traditional culture) with water in the reservoir, they still get watered every 2 or 3 days.

I water with dilute fertilizer at every watering, so that flushes, refreshes, and refeeds all at once.

[NeoNJ]

Originally Posted by Ray

One of the keys to phrag growing is to make sure the medium is flushed frequently. In nature, many of them are found growing with their roots trailing in a stream, while others are on hillsides in rainy areas, so there is a lot of frequent watering with rapid drainage.

I grow mine in semi-hydroponic culture, and even if they stay wet (the reason for the tray in more traditional culture) with water in the reservoir, they still get watered every 2 or 3 days.

I water with dilute fertilizer at every watering, so that flushes, refreshes, and refeeds all at once.

Thanks, Ray ....

I'm trying to visualize this .....when I think of a tray with water - I think of a shallow plastic tray with less than 1-inch of water - something along the lines of what you would use to perhaps increase humidity.

For Phrags, the tray and the amount of water in that tray would have to be rather large and deep if the water is going to touch the roots in the pot. Right?

I have 5 Phrags - only 1 is in a S/H pot with holes in the side and bottom and a reservoir. I still water all my Phrags daily ..... using Distilled Water, and I use Dyna-Gro for orchids.

[dounoharm]

all my phrags sit in a saucer, pot, or tray with water up about 1/2 to 1" of water EXCEPT the wallesii which hates wet feet....funny but thats the way it is....gl growing them they are wonderful plants!