Phrag. besseae flavum Fertilizer and Media?

[gdupont]

I got my first true phragmipeidum yesterday when I visited the wonderful Orchids by Marlow, Phragmipedium besseae v. flavum, which seemed like quite a steal at $50 for a remarkably healthy young plant, with a second growth just starting, and almost no blemishes on the leaves. I went out today and bought some fertilizer, Better-Gro Orchid Plus 20-14-13 (No Urea!). Does this sound good for a besseae, dilute to 1/4 teaspon / gallon, once every week in RO water?

Also, it is currently in purely fine bark medium, sitting in a saucer with about 1/4 inch of water. The humidity in my dorm is about 55% and its getting some evening light. I'm thinking of switching it over to a mix of perlite and sphagnum. It's in a black plastic pot. What would you all recommend: stick with the fine bark or switch to sphagnum and perlite? Marlow said he got this plant over the summer and potted it then, he said it shouldn't need to be repotted for about another year.

Finally, the perlite I have is by Miracle-Gro and it says it's "Enriched With Miracle-Gro Plant Food." Would that be bad for the besseae since I've heard they dont like to be fertilized a whole lot, are sensitive to salts, and should be flushed regularly?

Thanks!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Not that I'm an expert but I would leave it in the bark mix. Keeping it standing in water I don't think that spagh would be a good mix to use.

[silken]

I am no expert either but I do have several Phrags. I wouldn't use a product with added fertilizer as the perlite you mention. Phrags are very sensitive to over fertilizing and need less than most orchids. You won't know what it is getting if you use the perlite. Sphag will break down pretty fast from being constantly wet. I would stick with what it is potted in if he just potted it this summer. I use a chunkier mix than fine bark, but Marlow likely knows what works for Phrags also.