Phaius Care
 

Hello,

I was in my local Orchid greenhouse last weekend and fell in love with Phaius Microburst "Wild Thing." I left without it because I have no idea if I could care for it properly. But its been on my mind ever since :evil:

Can anyone offer any growing tips? Spring is (hopefully) around the corner and I have plans for an outdoor growing area that receives morning sun and then bright shade until early afternoon. I also have a bay window that receives full sun from about 1pm to sunset but the window is tinted and covered by curtains. I grow my cattleyas, dens and oncidiums here. And if neither of those options work, I have an indoor greenhouse with LED lights, humidifier, fan, etc.

Am I on the right track?



*EDIT* This post was supposed to go in the Miscellaneous Genre thread, not in Member Displays! So sorry; I'm not sure what happened! If anyone sees this, please move it to the correct place!

Phaiuses grow in conditions very similar to Phalaenopsis, except they like more humidity and possibly a bit more light (bright but indirect). They prefer warmth and shouldn't be in a spot where the temperature will drop below 60 at night.

They're considered easy landscape plants in south Florida, and the the tropics, by people who don't grow orchids. With proper conditions they should not present difficulties.

They're not small plants. A 2-gallon / 7.5 liter pot would be blooming size.

Phaius like to be keep damp (wet feet) during the growing phase. Once the growth matures dry out between watering. Heavy feeders. Plant in a pro mix type medium. Once the flowers are done blooming its recommended to cut the old growth off above the pseudobulbs when the new growths are 6 inches tall. Or you can remove the leaves from the old growth that are bent, droopy don't look healthy.