Start a Phragmapedium Forum Anyone???

[blackorchid]

my jaw hits the ground.....

[Pamela52]

Great phrag. I have several my self. Learning alot. Just transplanted most of them. So far so good. I buy ones that need repots and get great prices.

[Valhill]

Yes they are BIG plants!!! but they are also hard to kill. That's why I getting to like them a lot. I just need to lear how to care for them so they will bloom. you know the right type of fert. amount and lenght of light and water. Good luck with yours. I've gone through lots of potting media already!

[Pamela52]

Hi Valhill, Was reading and was curious how your Phrags are? Since I repotted mine they have been doing ok, I increased my light to 3000 ftcs Keep humidity at 70%, temp at nite 65*f and 72 days. Use rocks and keep their feet wet alot with oscalating fan. Lots of new growth, and healthy roots . Keep me informed. Pam

[Valhill]

Hi Pam,
thanks for writing.
I made the mistake of repotting too small sections so alot of my phrags comitted suicide this winter
:-) Also, many of the plants started to get yellow spots from those white mealy bugs. I started hitting them with Bayer Merit and it looks like they are back on the road to health. Most of the larger phrags have new growths and only one has a spike. Like you, I use kitty liter pans with pea gravel to keep the phrag feet wet but not soaking. I added 3 sets of high wattage CFLs 2700K and 6500K but I think my basement was not warm enough and maybe too dry. My basement was quite cool (55 - 65) this winter so maybe that is why the tropical phrags have not thrived. Hopefully now that the weather is warming I should see some improvements in my plants. Take care

[Pamela52]

Mine are getting nice and large, My tips on one was browning and that stopped. I have an occasional bug problem . I solve it by using a product called Fungicide 3 .I mix it and use a sprayer and spray tops of medium and also spray rocks . My bugs are mainly in the medium. I see them in the water after I soak plants, jumping on top of warer. Not sure what they are. I use same spray on cotton balls to clean their leaves. It keeps away the little critter that likes to eat new spring buds. My temps are much warmer, I thinks yours were cold, especially young ones. 65F @ nite & 72F days. Hum. @ 50-70%. Hope this helps. Pam

[Duane McDowell]

I've always thought of Phrags as some of the easiest orchids to grow and bloom well - exactly because of their heavy water consumption! I have just put their pots into deep saucers so that the bottom 1/4 of the pot sits in water. The water needs to be changed each watering (maybe twice a week). They like purified water, and want to be really wet before they are fertilized. Ideal light a little brighter than a phal or paph. The one I've never done well with is bessiae. Not sure why, but the plants always looked terrible for me. It's hybrids are fine, though. The new one (kovachii) is incredible! I saw the one in bloom at Orchids Limited. I can't wait for them to come down in price a lot so I can buy one!
Orchid Web: Phrag. kovachii - <b>Species</b>

[Duane McDowell]

Ok, had to post this. I am absolutely drooling! What an incredible plant.

YouTube - OrchidWeb - Phragmipedium kovachii 'Tesoro Morado'

[Tindomul]

Almost makes me want to start on Phrags. ahhh.