Should I have a plate of water...?

[Forever-mango]

I was given advise by a vendor to always have a shallow plate of water underneath Phrags as they grow in very moist areas. I did some research for myself and noticed some require more moisture than others. I recently acquired a Phrag Hanna Popow and its spiking at the moment. I was wondering if i should place a plate of water under it. If so, how much water and should i give it fresh water each day?

The vendor says she always have a fresh plate of water for her phrags. She has them under 50% shade and they love the water. It was sent to be spiking and have noticed it hasnt really grown much in the 2 weeks.

Also, i see many people with moss on top of their phrags, is it recommended?

King regards
Stephen

[Brooke]

If your vendor grew your plant standing in a saucer of water I would follow her advice. When the saucer is empty, refill. You don't need to refresh the water every day.

Once a week, flush water through the pot, sit back in the saucer.

Moss is fine on top the media.

Brooke

[kmarch]

Many phrags are moisture loving and I grow many of mine sitting in shallow trays of water. Phrag Hanna Popow could be grown like this. The phrags (species and hybrids) that are from the caudatum group and some from the Lorifolia Section like boissieranum grow like paphs, moist but not sitting in water.

[Forever-mango]

Thanks Brooke and Kmarch.

Is it ok the grow the Phrag Hanna Popow out of the water like Paphs? I have them inside the house next to my fish tank. The room gets very humid and so far anything i grow in the rooms grows very nicely. Will try it out and see what happens.

Thanks
Stephen

[kmarch]

Maybe you missed my last post, but I answered your question in it. I would grow the Hanna Popow sitting in water.

Humidity isn't the issue in this case. It's having the roots constantly "bathed" in water so to speak. I wouldn't use a plate, I'd get one of those clear plastic saucers you buy to put under a house plant. That way the phrag can sit in about 1/2 inch of water. Change the water regularly, every time you water, especially if you're fertilizing.

[Forever-mango]

Would you do the same for Phrag. besseae related Phrags too? I have a few Phrag. from the besseae line which im constantly keeping moist. Im thinking of doing the tray under them, but not sure if they are the ones that like their roots in the water.

Sorry if im being a pain, but i dont want my Phrags to die from too much water

[kmarch]

Ok, maybe I'm not being clear here (or maybe you're not reading the answers I'm posting) but this question too was answered in a previous post (#3).

Originally Posted by kmarch

The phrags (species and hybrids) that are from the caudatum group and some from the Lorifolia Section like boissieranum grow like paphs, moist but not sitting in water.

All others are heavy drinkers. This includes Phrag besseae and phrag besseae hybrids. Phrag Hanna Popow is a besseae hybrid (besseae x schlimii).

For anyone who finds they are interested in a particular genera or line of breeding, e.g. Phrags or besseae hybrids (or phals or mini catts, or anything for that matter), I highly recommend they take some time and learn about the species and any aspects of culture unique to that species or line of breeding. There are some excellent phrag books out there. I recommend:

The Slipper Orchids, Catherine Cash - in my view, an excellent overview not only of phrag species and hhybrids but of slipper orchids in general

Orchid Species Culture: Prescatoria, Phaius, Phalaenopsis, Pholidota, Phragmipedium, Pleonie, Charles & Margarete Baker - gives climate data and cultural information for the regions where the various phrag species are found

Die Gattung Phragmipedium (The Genus Phragmipedium), Olaf Gruß - You have to be able to read German for this one (which I don't do very well - fortunately my partner is fluent) and it's emphasis is on taxonomy not culture, but is nonetheless extremely informative.

And there's one more resource, a species edition put out by the AOS on phrags, but I seem to have lost my copy so I'm afraid I can't list it here.