Sick Phrag Imperial Jade

[grandmapenguin]

I'm embarassed to even post these photos but I wonder if anyone can help me and direct me as to what I am doing wrong. Try as I may I just think I must give up on Phrags and stick to Phals, Oncidiums, and Paphs.
I know I will have to pitch this one but I thought maybe someone can help and direct me, PLEASE.

[cable]

I just checked the international orchid register: there's no Phrag. Imperial Jade, only Paph. Imperial Jade (stonei x primulinum). But the leaves of your plant look a lot like a Phrag, so I'll assume that's what it is.

Compared to Paphs, Phrags like more light, somewhat cooler temperatures, and most importantly a LOT of water. You can even set them in a dish of water all the time: they should never ever dry out. The potting mix in your photos looks fairly dry, so if it is in fact a Phrag, that might be why it's unhappy. If you've been keeping it too dry, try watering it daily, setting it in water, or otherwise keeping it a lot wetter.

[grandmapenguin]

Originally Posted by cable

I just checked the international orchid register: there's no Phrag. Imperial Jade, only Paph. Imperial Jade (stonei x primulinum). But the leaves of your plant look a lot like a Phrag, so I'll assume that's what it is.

Compared to Paphs, Phrags like more light, somewhat cooler temperatures, and most importantly a LOT of water. You can even set them in a dish of water all the time: they should never ever dry out. The potting mix in your photos looks fairly dry, so if it is in fact a Phrag, that might be why it's unhappy. If you've been keeping it too dry, try watering it daily, setting it in water, or otherwise keeping it a lot wetter.

Would you pitch it or try to nurse it along I'll assume it's a Phrag I'm not big on names just enjoying whatevewr grows well for me.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by grandmapenguin

Would you pitch it or try to nurse it along I'll assume it's a Phrag I'm not big on names just enjoying whatevewr grows well for me.

In order to direct you...we'd need to know how you are growing the plant. It's hard to know what you might be doing wrong w/out that info.

Also...it's VERY important to know whether you have a paph or a phrag there. As cable pointed out...they require different care and culture.

If it's a phrag -- I agree, your mix looks very dry. But, also, if it's a phrag...the leaves that are shown in the pic could also be on their way out. I find old phrag growths get very ugly before they leave this world.

I checked OW and like cable pointed out...I could not find a Phrag Imperial Jade but there is a Paph Imperial Jade. That particular paph does not want to dry out and it needs a good deal of shade.

If your plant is Paph Imperial Jade then I would say...again...the mix looks awfully dry. Possibly too little water and maybe too much light based on the yellow color of the leaves. Like Phrags, some Paph leaves can get quite ugly when the growth is on it's way out...could be the issue w/the section that we can see in the pic. I can see another growth but it's not a good shot of it so it's hard to tell the color/condition.

[dounoharm]

ditto the above info....whatever it is its too dry.....

[koshki]

Terry, I don't grow paphs, so if this turns out to be a paph, ignore everything I have to say. This advice might kill it.

As for phrags, I am a beginner...bought my first one last fall. I kept them all in small trays of water at all times. But I moved them outside in late spring, and they have been going BONKERS. They get just a tad bit of morning light, then are in the shade of the house the rest of the day. They are all still sitting in their trays of water, but I water them everyday with the hose, trying to circulate the standing water, and those trays are always full of water. They all look TONS healthier than they did in the house and (shh, don't let them hear I've said this) I think many of them are starting to spike. Any other orchid would drown in the amount of water I'm giving them, but my phrags are happy campers.

If you have a place outdoors you could put it that will be similar in light, I'd try to water the daylights out of that plant, and see what happens.

When older fans die, they die ugly. I can only take so much of it and then I pull or cut off the ugly leaves.

Oh, and I'd definitely try to revive that plant.

[orchids4me]

If it is a phrag use distilled, rain or r/o water. Phrags tend to get brown tips and funky leaves from tap water from what I've larned and mine are as happy as peas in a pod any that have caudatum in them I don't put in a dish of water I grow those like Pahs as far as keeping them moist but with more light like the other Phrags.
Good luck!
Emmaye

[grandmapenguin]

Thank you everyone. First of all I am an ro water only user. It has been under lights thus probably too dry, and too much light.
I am going to try the water underneath and putting it outdoors with several other Orchids I have on a minimal light bench.
I will send photos if it does anything spectacular.
Thank you all again.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by grandmapenguin

I am going to try the water underneath and...
Thank you all again.

If it's a Paph...that might not be a good idea. Have you figured out what it is that you have?

[Susie11]

HI I am new to your forum and I just had to ask Grandmapenguin what the beautiful slipper in her avatar is? Is it a Phap or a Phrag because I would love to try to add that one to my slowly growing slipper collection.
Many Thanks Sue