Need to know details about watering Phrag.s and Paph.s please.

[shushu45]

OK. For a few months now((since spring)) I have two Phrag. Grandes. And three Paph.s and I think afert reading over and over I got there watering wrong.

For the Paph.s I have been watering them once a week filling the water in their tray about a 1/4 of an inch. It always dries up with in three days.

With the Phrag.s I fill their trays about an inch with water and fill it back up when it dries up. I uprotted them and I can't really tell is they have root rot or not. Same with the Paph.s

What I want to know is one am I watering them right an two can I get some watering tips please. Thank you.

[The Mutant]

As far as I know, you're not supposed to let your Paphs stand in water (I do occasionally, but that's by accident, and it's not something I try to do on purpose). Paphs are (mostly) supposed to stay moist, but not wet, so letting them stand in water for three days at a time repeatedly, sounds unhealthy. This comes from a master of overwatering, just so you know.

I have no experience with Phrag. Grande (I have two water loving Phrags that enjoy standing in water very much), but I read on Slippertalk that Phrags with caudatum as a parent, prefers being taken care of as Paphs (water when the substrate is "dry" enough). I would wait till someone with more experience comes along and tell you what to do though, so that I don't make things worse.

I wish you the best of luck with your plants! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I would have to agree that Paphs should not be stood in water.

As far as Phrag Grande is concerned, I can't help a great deal. I'm just not familiar with either parent of this hybrid to say a whole lot. The Phrags I grow are from section Micropetalum. From what I'm reading though, I'd have to also assume this particular hybrid might be one of those that should not be sitting in water as well.

[Brooke]

If your Phrag Grande is getting a lot of light, the more water it can use. I grow mine in Catt light and keep the saucer full. About once a month I flush the entire pot with running water and put it back into the saucer.

I grow my Paphs in medium light and try to keep them moist but not soppy wet.

No one can give you a schedule to water your orchids because everyone's growing conditions are different.

Brooke

[shushu45]

Thank you all. I just wanted to confirm all the info I have been gathering online with other growers personal experience.

[orchidsarefun]

as an aside - I really recommend that you pot using clear plastic pots. You can then see at a glance how well, or not, the roots are doing. You can also see if the media is 'wet'. I have been switching and it has made a difference in my watering regime. If the roots are healthy and start wrapping around the pot, you know that you are watering correctly. If the roots start rotting/deteriorating, then you know that you better change what you've been doing....
Watering for a pot full of roots is also a lot different to watering for a pot that has roots only in the top 1/3.

[MrHappyRotter]

I'll chime in, cause I love slippers!

I agree with everybody else on the paphs. While there are some that are known to enjoy sitting in water during the spring and summer, while in full-on, active growth, it's not something I'd recommend for year round care. Granted, everybody's conditions are different, and plants can be quite adaptable, so I'm not saying you absolutely can't grow paphs that way. However, I would normally recommend not leaving them to sit in water more than overnight. However, if you've been growing them that way for awhile with no problems, don't change it. And if you are going to change it, wean them back, don't immediately cut all the way back.

What works for me is to water twice weekly. In the winter, I just use a bit less water, and I'm more cautious about leaving water sit in the saucer (even if it's only over night). My plants grow under lights, so they don't really go dormant, but they get less window light and slightly lower temps, so I reduce water accordingly.

Now for the phrags. Phrag. Grande does contain caudatum as one of its parents, and generally speaking, that's a sign that the plant should be cared for more like a multifloral paph (higher light, don't leave it sitting in water). But, like every rule, there are exceptions. Most of the Grande and closely related hybrids will actually appreciate sitting in water. Since you are currently growing it that way, and you don't have any issues, I DO recommend you continue growing that way. However, keep a close eye on the plant. If you see signs of bacterial or fungal rot (usually wet, dark brow spots at the base of the leaves), then you should cut back on the watering and avoid letting the plant sit in water. Afterall, sometimes there are specific clones that can't handle growing wet. But, to reiterate, most Grandes will appreciate lots of moisture at the roots. And if you just want to play it safe, I'm also very confident that your Phrag. Grande will be fine if you never let it sit in water, as long as you never allow it to completely dry out -- they're pretty adaptable in that respect.

Aside from watering, though, your Phrag. Grande will appreciate fairly bright light. Compared to most other phrags, it will probably grow more slowly, and until it's very large with lots of growths, it may not bloom every year, particularly if it's not getting optimal light.

[shushu45]

How much light would u recommend?? Right now my phrags r getting not enough light apparently. And I have them 5 inches from the window.