Phrags and water saucers? - Orchid Board

Wjs2nd · #1 03-08-2012, 11:04 AM

Hey,
So I have just gotten into growing Phrags. I'm wondering what everyone's culture methods are? I currently have a kovachii hybrid with a saucer below it (about 1/2 of water in the saucer). I am getting my first besseae soon, waiting for the weather to get better, and I was wondering what were some suggestions. I have read some people suggesting a saucer, some not. The plants I have seen with a saucer seem to be doing better. Any culture help? Thank you.

My Phrag fritz schomburg has about a year or so till bloom. I'll post pictures as soon as it blooms. It'll have the red coloring as it was a red besseae.

WhiteRabbit · #2 03-09-2012, 12:55 AM

Susie11 · #3 03-09-2012, 05:53 AM

I grow phrags. I have eight. I grow all of mine in rockwool therefore I don't use a saucer of water. I don't like the idea of it and my nursery doesn't promote it as a way of growing them either. I know that many ppl do grow this way so maybe they will post an alternative view.

camille1585 · #4 03-09-2012, 08:54 AM

Phrags also do very very well in semi hydroponics, I've seen pics of really amazing growth.

RosieC · #5 03-09-2012, 09:35 AM

I grow a phrag in S/H and it's growth rate has been massive (currently also flowering). It seems to love it. I have another in a grainy compost mix which I just don't get on with and I plan to move that to S/H because I think it will do much better that way.

Wjs2nd · #6 03-09-2012, 10:24 AM

Thanks for your help. I had mine in more of a peat mix but didn't like it at all! So I moved it back to bark, sponge rock mix and put a saucer below with a little water in it (1/4 to 1/2 inch). My mother-in-law grows her fritz schomburg this way and it does really well (2 new growths).
In a year or two I'll have the room for a greenhouse and I think I'll make a water flow table to simulate nature better.

silken · #7 03-10-2012, 12:58 AM

I've had only 1 Phrag. for a few years and it seems to have improved since I've been keeping it in a saucer of water. I also started using rain water which eliminated the browning leaf tips I used to get.

I got a 2nd Phrag about 6 months ago which was bare root. Since potting and placing in a saucer of water it seems real happy and I can see lots of good roots thru the clear pot.

Wjs2nd · #8 03-10-2012, 08:50 AM

That is great. Thanks for the information.