Phrag. Olaf Gruss in bloom

[lotis146]

Here's my first Phrag. Olaf Gruss (besseae ('Chili Pepper' x 'Colossal') x pearcei)

I got it a month ago in bud, first and only one I have. It's first bloom was oh not quite 3 weeks ago? That flower didn't last more than a week, maybe bit more, then it fell when the second bloom opened, which is the one you see in picture. As you see there is a third bud developing. I love this little plant. I prefer mottled leaves in Paphs, but there's just something about these Phrag leaves that I really appreciate. It's this growth and then a new one.

[RJSquirrel]

arent they fun flowers?.. I gave up on phrags..and they get very big and take up lots and lots of space...






I can foresee a painful future coming for you

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice one

[DeaC]

Great flower. Do you sit your phrags. in a bit of water? My besseae and others like it-somewhat as they would grow in nature. But schlimmii and hirtzii are small plants and don't seem to mind being next to their larger relatives!

[LovePhals]

Nice new ones. How much sun does your outdoor space get?

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

arent they fun flowers?.. I gave up on phrags..and they get very big and take up lots and lots of space...


I can foresee a painful future coming for you

Why'd you give up, cuz they get big?? Ha ha, that sounds exciting, heck yeah! I want big plants, lots of flowers.

Originally Posted by DeaC

Great flower. Do you sit your phrags. in a bit of water? My besseae and others like it-somewhat as they would grow in nature. But schlimmii and hirtzii are small plants and don't seem to mind being next to their larger relatives!

I don't actually, I hadn't thought to. Describe please...

Originally Posted by LovePhals

Nice new ones. How much sun does your outdoor space get?

Well it gets morning and afternoon on part of it but I push this and others back to where the direct light doesn't hit in the afternoon. So it ends up getting a lot of shade besides in the morning. I put it back in the open when it rains so it will get drenched. But I do plan to move them all to a better spot in the yard, this is temporary.

[DeaC]

lotis...many phrags grow near streams and so the water is always at the roots being oxygenated and replenished. Enough water in bottom of saucer to just keep roots wet but not soggy and change every few days works for me and them.

[MrHappyRotter]

You've got great taste in phrags. Your Olaf Gruss has pretty flowers. The flowers look pretty large in proportion to the foliage. Unfortunately, Phrag. Olaf Gruss isn't known for having particularly intense flower coloration for a besseae hybrid, but they are still quite nice.

I appreciate this hybrid because it stays small and has beautiful, grassy foliage. Your plant does look healthy.

It's true, the individual flowers of most phrags do not last long. There are exceptions, but 2 - 3 weeks (sometimes less, sometimes more) is fairly typical. Most are sequential bloomers. They have an odd/interesting habit of dropping flowers that look perfectly lush and healthy, without showing any signs of aging. Flowers can continue looking fresh for days after they fall off if you float them in a dish of water.

[phragguy]

very nice

[lotis146]

Thank you thank you everyone!!!

I will give that a try with a water dish.

It's not intense color true, but I like its subtly quite a bit in combination with the leaves, such a cute plant. And yes, it kind of shocked me when the first flower fell off looking all perfect! My Pink Fred is sequential, grew three blooms, started the 4th when the first flower started getting brown spots. SO when this one just fell off without any signs of "sadness" I was rightfully confused and a little concerned. The third bud is developing but it seems it will give the second much more time than the first had to be beautiful.

This plant has made me happy even if it has been outside largely out of sight for a while now! (Maybe one day I'll have to get another Phrag )