What's a Good Phrag for a Novice
 

I've never grown Paphs or Phrags before but have been pretty successful with most Phals. From what I've read they should do well in conditions similar to what Phals like. I really like Phrags (particulary fond of besseae, but am not sure if it's a good beginner plant) and would like a recommendation for someone like me. I'm a windowsill grower. Don't have the $$ for a greenhouse and no space for an orchidarium. I'll be experimenting with s/h cultivation, and if it goes well I'll probably switch most of my plants over to that method. Thanks in advance. I appreciate all the great info I've garnered from you folks in the 2 weeks I've been here.

Hi Terri,

Try Phrag Hanne Popow or Sedenii.

It's been my experience that most phrags need more than phal light to bloom. When I first attempted to grow phrags, I grew them in lower light and they did not bloom. A friend who is a very successful phrag grower told me to give them more light, ~cattleya light requirements or higher. Since I've started giving them more light, I've been more successful at getting mine to bloom.

Kev

Phragmipedium Eric Young - (besseae x longifolium), my first phrag, bloomed for me this winter with no special treatment, phal conditions.

Thanks so much for the recommendations. I like all of them! Now to choose. :hmm :)

i have a phrag sunset glow, my only phrag that i got from goreorchids.com thats growing like a weed. it actually has a new growth sprouting out so im very very happy with it! :biggrin:

Phrag. Andean Fire bloomed for me right next to my Phals. I just water it twice a week and presto!

Phags are the slowest of orchids to grow but will become very happy when acclimated into your enviroment. I was unsure of paph's with my collection and had my first one bloom "again" makes one want more and more :cheer: I keep mine next to my phals. low/med light water weekly with daily misting, fertilize weak-weekly. Don't get me wrong there are some that are real buggers to keep happy, but that sounds like society and co-worker conditions to me:evil:..no difference. We do have a members that are extremely well versed in paph's, hopefully you will be able to narrow you choices after they chime in...

Paphiopedilum impulse x Hampshire Raven

Phrags are the greatest. As with many orchids, phrags will get what is called hybrid vigor. Meaning, the hybrids are more forgiving, grow faster, easier...etc. The Bessea hybrids are all nice, grow well, and of course, have the red base. There are many others that have more greens and browns. I really like Grande (longifolium x caudatum) and Sorcerer's Apprentice (longifolium x sargentianum).

Intermediate conditions suit most. They do like more light than phals, and will need it to bloom. I grow mine outside in the summer, under the shade of trees where they still get dappled sun, and sometimes more direct in the morning and late evening. They are in south facing windows in the winter.

I water mine a lot. They love it, and need it. Every day if its warm, dry, and windy. Every couple days if its cloudy cool and wet. I will sometimes set the pots in saucers of water too. But, its important to keep the water clean. Draws mosquitoes too.

If you go with bark mixes, its best to repot at least once a year, due to the rapid breakdown of the media under the wet conditions (salt build up too).

I have one hybrid in s/h for experimentation. Its doing OK. My Sorcerer's Apprentice is my favorite. Its been in a Phal type bark mix (bark, perlite, charcoal, peat) for 2 years and growing like a weed. I will never switch it to s/h.

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

Since I'm partial to red flowers I think a besseae hybrid is the way to go for me. Now to pick just one. :shock: They're all so beautiful.

I'm using coco husk chunks/perlite/charcoal in a 4/1/1 ratio. Everything I've repotted in that mix is doing very well. I plan to switch a couple of plants that need repotting over to s/h and wait 6 months to a year before making a final decision on the rest of my plants. There certainly is value in the if it's not broke don't fix it philosophy.

Thanks everyone for your advice. :D

It's not red, but Phrag longifolium is about the easiest to grow of the phrags. Mine also spent about 4 months in bloom.

Phrag La Vivace Epicure Phyllis D Turner is quite easy to grow too, and mine has been in bloom since November. Plus it's named after my aunt, so I like that. But it's not red either.

Oh my god there are soooooo many slippers to choose from, and YES some need more light then others to do well and flower.
I think if you really have ur heart set on a Bessae then go for it :cheer:
An Eric young will bloom under phal lights - no fussing with high lights, it's not the a hugh plant, rather nice and compact.
I think the mix you have mentioned will do just fine.
Mine are grown in sphag, added coarse rok another mix peatmoss with added rok. Heck why not throw yourself in a paph too, you don't want your only slipper to be lonely do you?? :evil:

There are plenty of phrag besseae hybrids you can obtain in the states. I wish I could get some, but the big famous breeders are in USA....I think all besseae hybrids will grow in similar conditions.

What about plant size, is that an issue? Longifolium and it's hybrids have long leaves, but they give that vigor.

Go for memoria dick clements, andrean fire, jason fischer, etc. for the hotest red even in warm weather where red can fade. These are the besseae crossed with Platypetalums (sargentianum, lindleyanum, kaieteurum) and then look for these ones that are then crossed back with besseae again for better shape. (Sorry I haven't memorized all the phrag hybrid names, but you can look in the registry) I am desperately wanting to get a Jason Fischer or similar!

nvm I wanted to see the names,so I looked them up

sargentianum x besseae = Memoria Dick Clements
Memoria Dick Clements x besseae = Jason Fischer

besseae x lindleyanum= Andean Fire
Andean Fire x besseae = Inca Fire

besseae x kaieteurum = Rosalie Dixler
Rosalie Dixler x besseae = not registered

And any crosses using the above hybrids I expect would bring colours to their progeny, and they have been used for many different hybrids. For example I expect my Phrag Tall Tails x Mem. Dick Clements to yeild very red versions of Phrag Ruby Slippers (bessese x caudatum)

I also recomend phrag Olaf Gruss, and other hybrids between pearcei, besseae and schilimii. Pearcei, besseae and schilimii are the low light phrags which are small plants and they will yeild compact plants when crossed together

Thanks for the info Fren. Space isn't an issue....yet:shock: . I was looking at the Jason Fisher online last night and it sure is a beauty. I'm leaning towards a more compact plant.

Gloria, heavens no! I wouldn't want my phrag to be lonely! LOL You guys are terrible. DH is going to divorce me!:biggrin:

Space isn't an issue? Then I'd get several :biggrin: :evil: You know DH would get a couple fishing rods or guns or whatever for his passtime, right :evil: :scratchhead:

Lonely is bad, Company is good :biggrin:
The way my DH and I work it out ... He gets power tools, I get orchids!
Fair is fair -- I also have the bigger lungs :evil:
Ooooh I love being a women :biggrin:

Ah yes Gloria, but I already have a room STUFFED with fabric for quilting. I also used to do stained glass but decided I had to let go of something. LOL DH is a very reasonable supportive human being. I just don't want to push my luck! ;)

Sounds about right. After all, the power tools make more noise :evil: (that's my other "thing").

You and me then ;) I was going to pre-order one from Orchid Inn but Sam's not bringing any Phrags so he didn't apply for a permit :_( I'll have to try Ratcliffe now as I want a nice one.

As far as Phrags go I also like China Dragon, Schroderae and popowii.

For stupidly easy begiiner phrags, you can't beat the bessea hybrids...particularly Mem Dick Clements, Eric Young, Sgt. Eric and Jason Fischer. All grow fast, bloom young, bloom yearly. If space isn't a problem, Sgt Eric is great...its huge, and very red. Like any cross, you can get a dud...they hapen sometimes..I have a Rosalie Dixler that hasn't ever bloomed even though its multigrowth...I really should toss it as it wastes space...but overall, these guys are as easy as can be. Take care, Eric

First I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I'm sorry I never reported back on what I got.

I went to a greenhouse about 3 hours away back in June. She specializes in slippers but sells lots of other chids too. She had many beautiful bessea crosses but I was hesitant to go that route as they were $60 plants. The thought of possibly killing such an expensive plant was a little scary. So I decided to purchase a Paph. delenatii. I've had it for 7 months and it has been happily growing along side my phals. I'm very happy to report that it is now in bud and it appears as though I'll be having twins! :biggrin:

Space is actually an issue now! ;) So, I'm looking at compact plants. There will be a bessea cross in my collection by spring. I also have a rather long list of other Phrags & Paphs I would like to have.

Thanks again for encouraging me to try slippers. I'm sure glad I did. Something tells me there's no turning back now! :dance13:

I have grown a good number of phrags from flask and can honestly say that they are among the easiest plants to grow from flask to blooming plants. They grow like weeds and get big quickly! Many of them stay in bloom for several months on one infloresence and throw multiple spikes over a year. Much quicker than paphs....

Curious to know...
 

Hi Cheryl

I also live in Central Florida and was curious to know if you grow you Paph in an air conditioned environment or outside? Have never tried growing one of these guys, but have had pretty good luck with Phals on the back porch... as you know, it does get hot and muggy in our part of town. Also have a Phal growing indoors near a southern exposed window with blinds and AC on with good results. I'd love to add a Paph to my collection, but would hate to kill one because of improper growing conditions. Your input would be greatly appreciated.:)

Thank you. June

I am so glad someone asked this question. I have killed a hanne popow and, although I am mesmerized by them, have been terrified of trying one ever since:shock: I cannot tell you if it was over or under watering or a light issue. I am notorious for falling in love, spending some money and then, getting overwhelmed and letting a plant "compost" itself, as I watch in horror. Right now, I have too many phals in need of repotting. Maybe as a reward for finishing my duties and getting better at the watering/observing routine (I am a secret evening waterer.....:blushing: ...I swear, there are just times in my life when they need water and my life's preoccupation has lost it's positive focus), I will try again. Seriously, I would love one of those Mexipedium xerophyticum, but I don't have that kind of money or experience....well, yet. I can always find money for another orchid, even if I don't have it to pay the bills:evil: !

Still Curious
 

Hey Cheryl,

I'm still curious....do you grow your Paph in an air conditioned environment or outdoors?

Thanks,

June

Hi June,
I would be growing in my un-airconditioned fan and shade cooled greenhouse in central Texas, about 2 miles from hell's blast furnace.... I suppose I could try windowsill for a phrag:scratchhead: