Can someone explain phrag light conditions

[Rothrock42]

At our local society show and sale I ended up with several new phrags.

Phragmipedium Grande (longifolium x caudatum)
Phragmipedium lindenii
Phragmipedium humboltii

When looking up growing conditions for them they mostly suggest lower light levels. But then the growing environment is described as "...open, fully exposed, grassy slopes, cliff faces, or humus soil..." or "...on roadside banks..."

I don't know about you, but all the fully exposed grassy slopes, cliff face, or roadside banks I've seen are pretty high light areas. And when I google "Phragmipedium xxx in situ" the results generally look pretty open and exposed.

So how much light do they really want?

I grow in the house with hight, floor to ceiling windows facing west. There is a balcony above me so that shades the direct sun for part of the afternoon. But there is a lot of reflected/ambient light all day and direct for a couple of hours in the afternoon.

I've got a Phrag. Sargent Eric (which has sargentianum, besseae, and longifolium in its background) and Phrag. Penn Creek Cascade (not sure on that). They have been growing and Sargent Eric has rebloomed -- so I think the conditions are pretty good.

Does it seem like these new ones would be more or less the same as the two I had?

[MrHappyRotter]

Some Phrag species like P. besseae, P. schlimii, and their close relatives do best in shady conditions for me. However, the crosses you mentioned would all prefer what I call bright shade conditions. That means they like very bright light, but protected from full sun.

I grow (and bloom) hybrids and species like you mentioned in medium-high indoor lighting. They grow and bloom well under my T8 replacement LED shop lights, within 6 - 10 inches of the bulbs. They like similar light to many Oncidium intergeneric hybrids. Higher light than the typical Phalaenopsis or Paphiopedilum lighting.

The Phragmipedium lindenii and Phragmipedium humboltii should be watered like a Paphiopedilum. They should not be allowed to sit in water like a typical Phrag, but they should be protected from drying out completely. The Phrag. Grande is one you'll have to play be ear on watering. Most Grande plants will like constant moisture, even being allowed to sit with a small amount of water in the saucer year round. However, some specific clones will have to be kept dryer to avoid rot.

Overall, Phrags prefer a bit more light than the average Paph. They like the same kind of light and conditions as multi-floral Paphs and intergeneric Oncidiums.

[Rothrock42]

Thanks for the tips MrHappyRotter. I think the light conditions where I've had my others will work out.

I've been growing the two I had in semi-hydro and was planning the same for the new ones. I had made the reservoir deeper than I usually do to keep the feet wetter. I might have to lower the depth of the reservoir for the lindenii and humboldtii a bit.

The other thing I didn't mention is that I have an oscillating fan on them most of the day. I've found that if even a little water gets on the Penn's Creek Cascade the leaves will brown and rot. With the fan that doesn't happen.

[Optimist]

Mine are in full sun right now, (they might be moved later in summer). I have a bunch of new divisions starting.

Of that list Grande is the one with lower light. I have

Phrag. Nicholle Tower
Phrag. Olaf Gruss
Phrag. Richteri
Phrag. Conchiferum