Phrags and wet feet

[wintergirl]

I have a phrag that has a nice bud and 2 new growths under my care. I first kept it in bark but now I have it in s/h pellets. In the bark I misted the media every day with clean rain water but now that it is in the pellets I don't need to mist. I keep it a small saucer of rain water about 1/2 inch. I change the water once a week and wipe slime out of the saucer. I also run clean rain water through the plant weekly. I don't use this water to set in, I get fresh for that after the "run through". It did not even react to the repot.

[estación seca]

You mentioned tap water. Slipper orchids, and especially Phragmipediums, are known for doing best with extremely pure water. These are definitely plants you want to give only rain or purified water, unless your tap water is extremely low in dissolved minerals. Here in the desert, using our highly alkaline and mineral-laden water on slippers leads to their decline and death.

You can find information about your water online at your water utility's Web site; search for their water quality report.

[Leslie]

I always sit my indoor 'wet feet' phrags in clean RO water. Details: After I water or fertilize, I will drain the pot/saucer, and fill it with new RO water, then sit plant back in. That way, it doesn't sit in 'dirty' water. Also I put them in clear see-through containers so I can always see the color of standing water, which should be always clear-ish. I will also change the saucer water daily or every 2-3 days, depending on plant. This way, I know the water is always fresh. Since I've done this years ago, no dying phrags or fertilizer leaf tip burns. Hope this helps.


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[Lady Meera]

Thank you everyone. All of this information is really helpful! I think I have a good plan for success now.

[Lady Meera]

Ok, here it is. Repotted and sitting in an open saucer of RO water. I am only going to use RO to water my phrags from now on and I will only fertilize once a month using 20-20-20. It is in a room full of west facing windows but it is not in direct sun because the sun hits too hard. It is sitting next to my oncidium Heaven Scent Sweet Baby (ruffles x sharry baby) which has been flourishing. Fingers crossed!

[Lady Meera]

Hopefully this photo is better...

[estación seca]

I have only Paphs and no Phrags, but everything I've read says slipper orchids should have only very dilute fertilizer solution. Don't mix your 20-20-20 at the recommended strength on the label. Phrag growers here will probably provide more detailed advice.

[orchidsarefun]

A couple of things
- definitely check out your water quality. Hybrids are not that picky and I use local water
- they do not need much fertiliser, probably 1/2 recommended dose during growth months only. 20-20-20 is good.
- a sprinkle of extended release fertiliser in Spring is also good. ( dynagro or osmocote 6 month release )
I have posted photos of my phrag on OB. They all get the above treatment with the addition of being hung outdoors for most of Summer. They love it.

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[orchidsarefun]

Schroderae, sedenii and Paul Eugene Conroy are a few that grow like weeds for me. I have to split schroderae every year. Mine currently has 8 new growths and I will probably split it in 2.

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[My Green Pets]

I'd like to add my Grande to this thread as well, to compare notes with you!

I am still figuring it out. It has never sat in water but it does get watered often, even daily in the summer. I use tap, but we have pretty decent water here (although I can't remember the tds numbers).

I have had to deal with rot twice, both times starting with the lowest part of the plant and working its way up, leaf by leaf.

I bought it as a two-growth division in autumn 2014. It put out two new growths last year and I'm hoping for a bloom this summer (?).

Here he is: