Help with Phrag and Paph. care

[William]

I'm on my way to the World Orchid Show and I'm planning to try Phrags and Paphs. I find them strange and interesting but don't know if they may be a bit more difficult to care for. I now have Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, some Phals, some Oncidiums and Vandas as well. Do they take much different care than them? I'm excited to feed my collection which has turned into a bit of an obsession.

[cb977]

William, you are going to love the show!
Some of the displays are made up of only Paphs and/or Phrags and are stunning! Many of the vendors have lots of them for sale too. The vendors are very willing to answer any questions you might have. They don't want to sell a plant that isn't going to make it.

Paphs and Phrags take slightly different conditions than the others you listed but nothing drastic. You'll have no problem in expanding your collection.

Let us know what you get!

Have a great time

[William]

Well I'm back and after buying six Paphs I was left with a busted budget so I got no Phrags. I did get Phals and more Denbros. You were right about the displays. Wow!!!! I hope the wonder of being amazed never ends. I know I'm still a newbie and impressed, but what variety! They tell me the Paphs like water and are best grown in plastic to retain moisture. I don't know. I like clay but perhaps I should go along with the advice from the pros.

[Lagoon]

Very nice William - what paphs did you get?
They do love moisture. I grow in plastic and clay.

Try both and see what works best for you.

With the clay you will have to water more often.
Also with clay, the roots will try out around the rims faster then the inside, that's not good (IME) I find this a draw back with clay pots.

[lily99]

Hi William,

I love paphs. I grow mine in plastic pots under the same light as my phals. I try to keep the fine bark they grow in moist. The problem I had when I first started growing them was I let the new roots dry out to much. They shriveled up and stopped growing. The new roots stayed healthy if I kept them covered in the potting mix.

[gixrj18]

Grow them the same way you do your Phals, and they love a little bit of lime and humus in their medium.

[Ray]

...or grow them in semi-hydroponics.

[cb977]

My Paphs and Phrags are in the same area as my Phals but they are kept a little more moist.

Whaddya get, William?

[William]

First of all let me thank you all for the replies and help whenever I send a question out there. The Paphs I got were Maudiae Big Buster, Satchel Paige ' Jim Krull ', Callosum, Hsinying Web, Delenatii, and one called KeylimexEnchanted ChildxChiarraxholdeniixOntario Jade. Hows that for a name? Two are in bloom and the others seem to be ready. I'll put out pix when they bloom.

[Gwenchanter]

I went to the WOC on saturday and loved it too! The displays were overwhelmingly beautiful and whimsical. I wasn't expecting such elaborate breathtaking displays. I'm soo glad I went! Congrats on your new aquisitions. Can't wait to see photos.

-Lisa