| Light & Water for Paphs & Phrags made SUPER simple
I’d like to take a moment here and answer a few of the Paph/Phrag questions that have been posed and clarify a couple of misconceptions about growing Paphs & Phrags.
First, the question of Phrags and light. In nature most Phrags grow on exposed rocky hill sides or along streams. They can actually tolerate quite a bit of light. It is not necessary to have Phrags in high light but my experience is that many of them, especially the larger species like Phrag longifolium and Phrags in the caudatum and reticulatum sections, bloom better and easier in higher light. I think the southern exposure will be ok if the light is not too intense or too direct. I have grown the caudatum-type Phrags in south and east windows with no supplimental lights. In the eastern exposure they received a few hours of direct sun at the earliest part of the day. The ones that grew in the southern exposure, received several hours of bright indirect sun daily….weather permitting. I have successfully bloomed several besseae hybrids and even the species in both lower light (specifically under flourescent lights - 2 40-watt tubes) and higher light (eastern ro southern exposures described above).
Next, Phrags and water. In nature most Phrags grow on rocky hillsides with nearly constant trickle of water or along streams where their roots often grow below the water line. It is nearly impossible ot over water them. With one exception I grow Phrags sitting in saucers in about an inch of water. I’ll get to that exception in a moment. Water quality is important for Phrags but it is a myth that they must have RO or rain water. In many places in the US where good city water is available (with relatively low solids) tap water is perfectly acceptable for Phrags. Phrags will do well with good clean rain water or RO water to be sure, but it is not a requirement as they can also do well with ordinary tap water. Well water is a different story as some well water can be very high in solids. I lived in Michigan for a long time and I would probably avoid well water as Michigan well water is often really high in iron and other solids, but Ypsilanti city water was great for my Phrags. THE EXCEPTION: Phrags in the caudatum section (e.g. species like caudatum, walisii, lindenii, and a few others, and hybrids like Grande, Predator, and others) require slightly drier conditions. I water these just like I do Paphs; I keep them evenly moist and do not let them sit in saucers of water like other Phrags. Another unusual Phrag, Phrag xerophyticum grows even drier.
Paphs and Light: Earlier in the thread someone mentioned Paphs are low light like a Phal. This is somewhat of an overgeneralization and is not entirely accurate. Looking at Paphs from the “how much light” point of view, they fall into 2 categories: low light and medium light. Low light Paphs are the mottle-leaf varieties, the most common of which are the Maudiae-type species and hybrids. These are probably the most commonly found and are often sold as noid slipper orchids in chain stores. These orchids do not require much light at all, are often recommended for those with north window growing areas (northern hemisphere), and it is often said they can be grown with other orchids like Phals or with other indoor pants like african violets. This is entirely correct in my experience. I’ve successfully bloomed them grown under 2 40-watt flourescent tubes and along side african violets. The medium light Paphs are the multi-floral, green-leaved Paphs like P. philippense, stonei, rothschildianum, and others. They’re sometimes called strap-leaf Paphs. They do better with the higher light levels, I grew mine in east and south windows (as described above).
Paphs and Water: Gently and evenly moist year round is a good rule of thumb. Some Paphs, the chinese Paphs for example, often experience a heavy rainy season in late autumn early winter so depending on the species or hybrids you’re growing, you may need/want to water heavier at certain times of the year.
In spite of what some folks here and in other places have said, in my opinion, Paphs and Phrags are extremely easy orchids to grow, far easier in my opinion than Phals.
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