Phragmipedium Les Dirouilles 4N X Phragmipedium schlimii 'EYOF'
• ‘EYOF’ - Eric Young Orchid Foundation
These orchid plants are also called lady slippers that are endemic to Mexico through the central and northern parts of South America. They can be found growing on rock outcroppings (Mexipedium xerophyticum), in forks of trees (caudatum), or volcanic clay (boisserianum or wallisii). Some plants such as longifolium, ecuadorense, pearcei, or klotscheyanum grow by the river side and are submerged underwater when there is heavy rainfall.
I have this plant on S/H method, and I flush it once a month.
Blooming season is usually in the spring, but many species can be in bloom for 6-11 months at a time.
I feed it k-Lite Fertilizer added with seaweed mix.
Most Phrags will need more light than Phalaenopsis or Paphiopedilum. However, plants like besseae, pearcei and ecuadorense will do well in lesser light. Some Phrags like caudatum and this plant can survive on Cattleya lighting.
Phrags generally require intermediate temperatures with days in the 70F or 80F and nights in the upper 50F to low 60F like this plant; yet some Phrags will tolerate slightly warmer temperatures.
One problem that seems to occur during the hot summer months is a soft, brown bacterial rot that appears at the base of the leaves. When I see this, I carefully pull the infected leaves off and treat the plant with a bactericide.