Wet Phrags
 

Hi all, I have just got a Phrag Will Chantry (bessae cross). It is listed as a wet Phrag meaning it loves being wet all the time. The actual wording is that you cannot over water bessaes. With this in mind, when I got it (about 2 days ago) I put the pot in a bowl and put about 2 inches of water in the bowl.

Is it wise to do this? I just need some re assurance or better direction from someone more experienced.

Kindest regards, m

Hi! I am pretty new to phrags as well, I only have one and got it this last May. After a few months I read that they like to be in a saucer of water so that is what I did. The roots really went crazy! Of course you will have to replace the potting medium more often. I have heard from others on here that s/h is good for them as well but I don't want to try it with my one and only phrag. So my recommendation would be to go ahead and leave it in the bowl!

Bonjour Mary :)

You sure did pick out a beauty to grow, This is a stunning phrag! Should be a compact grower aswell.
You're right this is a wet grower, that likes to sip water. Or you can keep it very moist not using any water saucer at all. The hotter the temps are the more water it will want, same with coolish conditions - less water.
You can rot any phrag down with excess water when the tempts are cold and the light is too low. Phrags will not put out the growth since they is no light energy.
So (IMHO) you can rot a phrag if the conditions are unfavorable.

Enjoy your new orchid :D

Hey another Albertan slipper grower! I have always grown most of my Phrags (excluding those from section Phragmipedium) in saucers of water. I only keep about an inch or so though. I also always use pure water. I have found that Phrags (again, not section Phragmipedium - caudatum and its relatives) are much happier when they are grown this way; maybe it's because mixes usually dry so quickly under my conditions.

my wet phrags are pretty much grown IN the water, haha!! usually the pot is more than half submersed at anytime. and their roots just love it--they suck it half way down on a good sunny and warm day. but they will need time to adjust though...

i love you,re blog

If you want to avoid repotting phrags as often in wet culture you might consider using lava rock or even marbles to grow your plant in. They wont break down and you can leave the plant in the pot until it begind to creep out and explore. I wouldnt necessarily keep water constantly available to the roots, especially in the winter, instead i would water everyday, like you would do for a vanda in a basket, and fertilize more often with a weaker solution. If you do sit the thing in water make sure you are using RO or distilled or rain water and a very weak fertilizer solution as these wet growers originate from cliff sides with water trickling down their roots carrying small amounts of nutrients so they are constantly being fed. Also in the saucer method replace the water at leas every three days to prevent stagnation, especially with bark, or you will provide an opportunity for root rot and stink up the area around the plant. A better alternative to water sitting in a saucer would be to use spag moss and just keep the top of the moss moist which would eliminate the worry of daily watering and root rot from water sitting at the roots.

Hi "Un" you have some really good ideas there, thanks! Regarding the sphaghum moss part: would I put the moss in a bowl and sit the pot on top of it then keep the moss wet? Would that supply the constant moisture the Phrags need?

Many thanks, m

Mary, I grow all my phrags in sphagnum moss and perlite, works very well, keeps them very moist. I water (drench) 2 to 3 times per week depending on the heat.

When I water, I let my Phrag Sgt. Eric sit in a couple inches of water while I water all my other orchids.After I'm done with the rest, I go back and empty the excess water out but I leave it in about 1/4- 1/2 inch of water. When it goes below the bottom of the pot, I know it's time to water.

It is in bark and and currently is developing new roots and has 2 new fans growing so it seems to like this method. The only problem I have with the method is amount of fungus flies.