Phrag. besseae & Phrag. Schroderae
 

I just got my first ever two phrags at an auction I went to on the weekend: P. besseae `HighEnergy` x `Tangello` and P. Schroderae.

My vague impression up til now has been Phrags are similar to Paphs but like to be kept wet?

Three pages I found with google on besseae:
Phrag besseae culture - growing tips
Phragmipedium Orchid Care - Carter and Holmes Orchids Culture
Phragmipedium besseae
indicate it requires constant moisture, even sitting in water?

There didn't seem to be much information about Schroderae other than it is a primary hybrid?

Would semi-hydro possibly be a good way to go with these two?

The first two photos are the besseae, the other one with multiple growths is the Schroderae. I got them for AUS $10.00 each! :shock: :banana:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...rag_bessae.jpg
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...g_bessae_2.jpg
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...mbs/Phrags.jpg

The besseae is a bit small but the Schoderae is huge!

Great choices! I don't have any Phrags yet but those two are up there on top of my Wish List :D

Todd,
great to hear that about the Schroderae :biggrin: the auctioneer indicated I got a good deal on that. I've counted roughly 15 growths 80% mature the rest new shoots and younger growths.

I was also the only bidder on both Phrags :cheer: ..

Yep the besseae is quite tiny.. it may take a while [years?] before it flowers? :(

Yep I've wanted a besseae since seeing a lovely one grown very well by someone [sorry I forgot who :blushing: ] here on the OB.

Congrats on your new slipper, Damian :D
I don't think phrags are hard to keep, you just have to keep them pretty moist.
I don't grow any of these wet as in sipping saucer water, but I do water often and don't allow to go dry.

I grow my slippers in peatmoss with lots of rok and sphag-moss also with added coarse sponge rok.
My Bessaea's crosses are keep only slightly cooled - 68 nights to 72 day, Then abit higher during the summer season - 75 degrees' no higher. LOTS of fanning under moderate lighting.

Thanks Gloria, that is very helpful information :) . Obviously I need to think about how often I want to water it to ensure it never dries out and so that it fits in with my watering habits.

Either semi-hydro or a moisture retentitive media/mix could be good choices.

I did think maybe about dividing the Schroderae to try it in various culture [semi-hydro, or sphag mix or chc etc] and see what works best but then I think it would be criminal :shock: to divide it as it is so healthy in it's current pot and mix and if I got it to flower as is now with that many growths I would have quite a display- I'd hope :D

Both phrags are easy to keep...especially the Schroderae. Between the 2, besseae will take lower light and more moisture. I am not a fan of semi-hydro with phrags. My standard phrag mix is bark (fine, but medium is OK) sponge-rock, and chopped NZ sphagnum. Schroderae is MAGNIFICENT! Don't divide it...I find it an irregular bloomer...sometimes it will bloom 2-3 years in a row, other times it waits up to a few years between blooms. The more growths you have, the more likely you are to see regular blooms. Take care, Eric

Thanks Eric :) You've convinced me not to divide the Schroderae.

I am concerned about the condition of the mix. It looks ok on top but I have no idea how composted it is deeper down in the pots.

For now I'm going to leave them undisturbed as they are seem to be in good health.

Good! One of the advantages of phrags is their tolerance of poor media....the kind that would be near instant death for a paph is still perfect for a phrag. On the other hand, phrags also appreciate repotting, as long as its into a similarly moisture retentive mix...so you can go either way without harm...one advantage of repotting now is that you have a reference point for the future, in terms of later repotting...you will know just how old the mix is...but don't hassle yourself over it...a phrag should be happy either way. Take care, Eric