Phragmipedium kovachii as a houseplant

[gnathaniel]

Woah, why all the despair and 'all or nothing' talk? If you want to grow orchids (incl. P. kovachii) then do some research and give it a try, no need to posit catastrophic generalizations about one of the most diverse plant groups on earth. All you've been told is that Phrag kovachii and D. lindenii are challenging species to grow, not that they're impossible. You could likely grow either/both of these perfectly fine if you're dedicated to learning and providing what they need, but responding like this to every new piece of information seems a poor strategy to achieve that or any other goal.

Sorry if the above sounds unduly harsh, I'm just a bit bemused by your strange set of contradictory attitudes. My advice (should you choose to accept it): slow down, look at some of the 20,000+ orchid species and many thousands more hybrids to figure out what you like, look at conditions you can realistically provide without overstretching yourself, and go for it! Or don't grow any if that's your freely-made choice. Just remember to be patient: growing orchids, even rare/challenging ones, isn't phenomenally difficult, but it IS highly unlikely to provide you with instant gratification...

[RosieC]

I was told by a grower from a Cyp nursary (same group as Paphs and Phrags) that they HAVE now found a way to do tissue culture on slipper orchids like these and can clone them. HOWEVER the process has a lower viability rate than growing from seed, and the plants take as long/longer to grow than those grown from seed.

So while it can be done, it's not worth it and they still grow them from seed in most cases. As Terri said, this is why they are so expensive. Growers have to spend a lot more time getting them to sale-able size and numbers are lower. They can't reproduce them in mass numbers in the same way that orchids like (for example) Phals can be reproduced.

[LostInPeru]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I was told by a grower from a Cyp nursary (same group as Paphs and Phrags) that they HAVE now found a way to do tissue culture on slipper orchids like these and can clone them. HOWEVER the process has a lower viability rate than growing from seed, and the plants take as long/longer to grow than those grown from seed.

So while it can be done, it's not worth it and they still grow them from seed in most cases. As Terri said, this is why they are so expensive. Growers have to spend a lot more time getting them to sale-able size and numbers are lower. They can't reproduce them in mass numbers in the same way that orchids like (for example) Phals can be reproduced.

Really interesting information to know. Thankyou for sharing.

[palm521]

unless there is some favorable conditions , i have no idea if this plants are suitable as ornamental house plants. specially with how expensive these plants can be.

PKs. for me are easy but slow growers in my greenhouse, i got 4 plants, (all different), first one being around in my greenhouse for almost 2 years, it is now produced roots, the other plants that came with me from Peru (nov 2013) are sending roots. all of them.

however for other people in Mexico, PK are actually hard, i gave 2 PKs to 2 different people, and both died. in 2 month window , both plants were adults. not rooted plants.

mine are growing in between of Phalaenopsis and cattleya light level. so it is bright but not direct sun.

all of them are contantly moist 5 out of 7 days, the other 2 are more in the dry side, but always with 60+ humidity.

before that i was doing wet plants 24/7 , but it seems that this way is promoting root growth, i found this by accident, because the water pump feeding water to them died.

Antonio.