Phragmipedium schlimii

[MrHappyRotter]

I know I've posted this before, but I figured I'd share a couple pics of this season's first bloom.

I decided to experiment a bit with this plant, and moved it to one of the shadier shelves on my stands, growing right beside the parvies. It seems to be working out for the better. The leaves on the latest growth are so much wider now, and the growth over all is bigger and healthier than previous ones. There's a bit less leaf tip die back, as well. And finally, this plant is already starting to push out 2 (or maybe 3) new growths, where as it's always only ever put out 1 new growth at a time.

Anyway, it's hard to beat this species, and there's obviously a ton of very stiff competition in the genus Phragmipedium. The flowers are small, but brightly colored with a purple or pink pouch, spots, rose blush, and splashes of very bright yellow. To top it all off, it's fragrant, very pleasantly so at certain times of the day.

[cbuchman]

One of my favorites!

[No-Pro-mwa]

It is so cute.

[WhiteRabbit]

Cutie!

[bethmarie]

Love little Phrags, schlimii especially. that's a lovely one!

[Gerben1998]

Is it difficult to care for this orchid???

Gerben

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by Gerben1998

Is it difficult to care for this orchid???

Gerben

That's a very subjective question.

I don't consider it a difficult species, but it can be a little tricky. For instance, I had one years ago that would rot if left standing in water, but would develop horrible leaf tip die back if allowed to dry out. But, I now think that one was an exception.

Within the phrags, there are a number of fast growing and generally trouble free species and hybrids. Generally if you keep them sitting in clean water, fairly bright, and warm, you can't go wrong.

I'd say Phrag. schlimii is slightly more work, in that, it grows a bit more slowly than other phrags and needs a little more caution when it comes to water quality and humidity levels.

So, if you're already successful with other phragmipediums, then you'll probably do okay with schlimii. If you haven't yet tried phrags, it's a wonderful species, but perhaps you might consider a schlimii hybrid like Phrag. Hanne Popow or Cardinale, first.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They are cooler growing. They do better grown cooler. These suffer during our heat waves. Grows best in cool to the low end of warm, (so far that I know of, 45 F for a low, 85 F - 90 F for a high-end range; these values might change the longer I have them for and when I figure things out).

Easy to bloom though!

I've found them to be fairly expedient growers. One of mine sprouted 3 or 4 new shoots over the course of one summer.

Yes, they detest drying out completely, and they don't like it soggy either.

Btw, for anyone who wants to know, they bloom during the fall.

I like using a combo of moss and granite, or granite and coco peat. In the wild, they are reported to grow on granite around areas that are consistently moist.

I do not sit them in water. The media drains, but also retains moisture.

Bright shade or low end of moderately bright indirect light is appreciated.

Grows fine in both clear or opaque plastic pots.

Great starter Phrags imo.

[disalover]

The first blooms always the best

[Tindomul]

Great info and what a beauty!