Recommendations for compact pink Phrag

[LinhT]

Thanks for the heads up, unhappykat I'll have to find something to strap in down to the shelf on the window.

[LinhT]

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

There is no need to be scared! Phrags are really quite easy to grow. Ever grown a Paph before? They grow like Paphs but most like more moisture and a little more light. Most Phrags can grow to very large proportions; just stick to the more compact ones that have been mentioned if space is a concern.

I found something called Phrag 'Predator' last night online. It ain't what I call "pretty" but it looks pretty cool (to me) and sounds not very fussy as far as culture. So I may end up with one of those.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by LinhT

I found something called Phrag 'Predator' last night online. It ain't what I call "pretty" but it looks pretty cool (to me) and sounds not very fussy as far as culture. So I may end up with one of those.

Well if it is pink Phrags you're really after I hope I didn't discourage you with my descriptions of schlimii and fischeri. These are tricky but the main thing is to use pure water, which I believe you already said you use (and this is good practice for all Phrags anyway). What I meant though, was that they are a little tricky but their hybrids are much easier. As a side note, I have been growing schlimii for 3 years and haven't had any problems. It grows just like the rest of my Phrags (albeit a little slower), and I've had to really watch the fertilizer to avoid brown leaf tips.

[unhappykat]

Are you interested in these strange longer peatled type plants or pink floofy ones. There are other compact species that look like this but I thought this was about a pink compact plant.

[LinhT]

I originally wanted a compact dark pink like Asuko Fischer or Ryoko Urabe (sp?). But I think the weirdness of Predator appealed to me. I think at this point, any non fussy compact phrag is potential game.

[unhappykat]

If you aer looking soley for compact phrags you should consider

phrag. exstaminodianum
IOSPE PHOTOS

phrag klotscheanum
IOSPE PHOTOS

Phrag wallisii
IOSPE PHOTOS

These are very compact species that occur naturally. They would fit in a window most of the time except when they decide to bloom, then you would want to move them somewhere that allows the petals to hang down, or spread depending on the species. Hybrids with these are not too common as most people want color from besseae and now kovachii but you should be able to find them from specialty growers. All of these remain compact enough for a window sil or under lights so you can grow them with your neos and have no conflicts. Hope thes help your addiction, i mean obsession, wait...... Healthy Hobby.

hehehe.

[LinhT]

A kovachii hybrid would be my "dream phrag". Without a greenhouse and a big space, I don't even want to attempt one. I have heard of wallisii and that one is nice. Ideally, I want to find one that has bright color, weird shape, compact and doesn't require really high humidity. I'll definitely check out all the suggestions you slipper experts gave me. You're all very helpful

[unhappykat]

You will definitely need to hold off on the Kovachii hybrids because many of those have been breeding out to be giants even when compact species are used, You might need two greenhouses for a KOVACHII hybrid.

[LinhT]

Also, that giant hybrid will make a giant dent in my wallet which will in turn create an even bigger dent in my neo fund. I didn't know slippers, even the non Kovachii ones were so expensive.

[unhappykat]

Phrags in general are more expensive than most slippers, but not too much more than neos, and I think phrags are much more rewarding as a plant because they can flower at any time and stay so for years on certain hybrids, bessae especially, Some plants can have inflorescences that last two or three years, and when they finally fade there is usually another one or more to take their place. Neos bloom 1-4 times a year but I dont know of any that can be in constant bloom.