Phragmipedium help!
 

I just compulsively bought a phrag and I've never grown one before. It's HUGE. Eight growths with several new ones pushing out, it must be about 3 feet wide and 1.5 feet tall. The name is Phragmipedium coral jewel. I have basic culture tips but how do I grow this? If it dies, I might with it. :(

Some Phragmipediums are indeed large plants. Phrag Coral Jewel = sargentianaum (large) x schlimii (small), so I would have expected an average+ size plant.

Phrag sargentianum is one of the few species, which does not do well standing in 1-2" of water permanently, and this carries over to a primary hybrid despite schlimii preferring having it's feet wet. Having said that, this plant still needs watering at least twice a week. And, with the heavy watering schedule, plan on repotting annually.

Without knowing the 'basic culture tips' you got, I can't tell what else you need to know.

The main thing is they like fresh water and are sensitive to salts and fertilizers. They also like good air movement. Maybe you can call the vendor and ask how they have been caring for it.

The grower I bought it from hadn't repotted it in 5 years so that's what I did first. Shockingly, the roots looked fantastic and I divided it once. He grew it standing in one inch of water and judging from old spikes, it bloomed about twice for him. I might try no water in the bottom and put more in if it seems to not like it. I have one division that I want to grow in high light (cattleya) and the other in low light as an experiment. Other then light, watering, and repotting, I don't know any more about these guys :) Is there anything particular to this hybrid I should know about? Zero information online for coral jewel.

As for fertilizer, 1/4 the recommended amount on the package of fertilizer should do, 2x a month. I don't think they are too picky about the KIND of fertilizer so much as the AMOUNT. Better too little than too much. Otherwise, I don't think this is a really fussy plant-so don't loose any sleep over it!

I grow my phrag in a dish of standing water. I change it weekly. Mine is a smaller plant, not the same as yours.

Most Phrags do best standing in water (I have gone from 3/4" to 1" to now closer to 2"). However, there are a few species, which reportedly do not do well with this treatment:

caudatum
sargentianum
longifolium

You'll definitely want to grow it wet. To accomplish that, I let most of my phrags sit in water at all times, but if you're uncomfortable with that, then you should be prepared to water it a lot. Possibly in the heat of the summer, it will need to be watered once or twice a day.

It should be able to handle heat pretty well, and should also be adaptable to winter temps in the 50's, though a little warmer would be much better.

In terms of light, this will grow pretty bright, and probably prefers a bit of morning sun. Though, if you have the right setup, it should be able to grow fine in artificial lighting. Due to the size of the plant, you probably won't be able to get away with growing it under fluorescent shop lights.

For a potting mix, due to the size of the plant, you'll want to use something big and chunky. Bark might be the best option, but you'll probably want to add in some sponge rock, lava rock, or large grade charcoal if you have access to it.

I grow all my phrags indoors under lights, so I don't have any of these really huge crosses, but I've grown them in the past. They can soak up a lot of water in the summer, and they take up a lot of space, especially when in bloom. If you start to see leaf tip die back, it can be an indication that the plant is getting too much fertilizer or that the water quality isn't quite up to its standards. You're best off using rain water, RO, DI or other very pure water sources and then mixing in a small amount (usually 1/8 to 1/4 label strength) fertilizer, and then periodically, flush the pot with pure water.

---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:30 PM ----------

Caudatum and its close relatives (popowii, warscewiczianum, etc) definitely grow better when kept evenly moist like a paph or phal versus sitting in water. They tend to rot very easily, especially in cooler temps and shorter days. Some of their hybrids can be finicky too when it comes to moisture.

Longifolium and sargentianum love water, though, and in most cases will appreciate sitting in water if you can't water them frequently.

I have a load of phrags which grow very quickly. I would not advocate to have them standing in water this is because all phrags love good quality water and standing them in still water is a sure way of the water developing bacteria and fungi, Always better to water them frequently --- I do mine every day and feed very lightly with fert just once per week.I use RO water only. They love to be repotted.
Ed

You can stand them in water but change the water every week and run water through the pot to flush. Then put fresh new water in the saucer. Mine grows best in chunky bark. I tried s/h beads but it did not seem to like them and I switched back to bark.