Phrag besseae

[Phantasm]

Dear Confused,

Yes, they like wet feet. My besseae and related hybrids all have a water tray under the pot and they love it!
They do not like to go dry...Many phrags grow in water seepages. The plants can get warm and bright, but the roots enjoy being cool and wet.

[Tindomul]

So they are adopted to a semi aquatic lifestyle? How deep should the water be? Should it reach up to the first leaf, or only the tips of the roots? Should the water be running water? I know it has to be really clean water. Thanks for the advice. This just might be my next type of orchid the next time I get the chance to buy one.

[cb977]

When we sign on to Orchidboard, the first page taht shows up (for me, at least) is slipperfreak's article on Phrag besseae. It explains a lot.

Besides that, and I am NOT recommending that anybody do what I do but...a lot of my 'chids sit with the bottom of the pot in water My friends have gotten used to seeing it but at first they were always freaked out by it Keep in mind, just about all my 'chids are in just aliflor, not bark, so maybe that has something to do with why they survice this

[Tindomul]

Your essentially growing in semi hydro conditions Sue. I have one phal in a normal pot filled with aliflor. I always keep the pot sitting atop a flooded dish.
I have not seen the article because I never go to the main page. So thanks for letting me know about this unknown corner of OrchidBoard, Hehehe.

[Oldguypops]

Wow!!

17??
That's awesome!
Could your husband talk to my wife about how important our work with orchids is to the envoronment??

Actually, my wife is pretty tolerant, but I only have 24 orchids so far. With all the shows coming up this spring, I'm sure that number will increase quickly, so we'll see what happens then.

What else did you pick up besides the Bessae?

Chris

[cb977]

A happy wife (or husband) makes for a happy marriage
I'm lucky enough to be married to a great guy...and one that knows he can't control this obsession of mine

Here's the rest of what I picked up:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...off-wagon.html

[Oldguypops]

Nice selection Sue!!

I really like the Onc Tsiku Marguerite. What a compact beauty. Are the flowers cream or yellow?

Chris

[cb977]

They're a combo of the two

[Oldguypops]

Sweet

Good choice. I think it will be one of my future selections.

Chris

[cb977]

The blooms are a soft cream and the lip is yellow.

Duncan brought one in to our last meeting and I instantly fell in love with it.

It was the first plant I picked up while at the WOC