Trouble finding Phragmipedium culture

[nicki]

I was given a Phrag as part of a valentine's day gift. I have no experience with them and they seem rather intimidating. The only consistent thing I can find is that they like pure water or that they could be good for semi-hydro. Currently I've been using half tap and half distilled for my orchids since I've been out of rainwater. I can use just distilled for the Phrag. If anyone has any other advice on how to best take care of it I would definitely appreciate the help. Oh, it's a Phrag. Elizabeth castle x Phrag. kovachii if that helps.

[phraggy]

Hi Nicki. Phrags are not as difficult as Paphs. You have to make sure that the water you give the plant is very fresh , by this I mean you can water it every day from the top,which ensures that there is no build up of 'nasties', and which will provide the plant with the oxygen it will need. Regarding compost I use sphagnum moss mixed with large perlite but if you follow the watering plan you could use anything--bark mixes, sphag and charcoal,in fact. I have been successful with a kovachi hybrid grown in nothing but granite chippings. Just keep it well watered and it should be no problem.
Good luck
Ed

[Ron-NY]

Ed's advice is good. Also that cross is registered under the name Phrag. Memoria Maria Teresa Fighetti
Is yours in bloom, Nicki? I have only seen a couple of this cross in bloom and am anxious to see more.

For a bit of historical info. Maria Teresa Fighetti passed in 2008. She was the wife of Carlos Fighetti, past president of the American Orchid Society.

[nicki]

Thanks Ed, that seems easy enough.

Sorry Ron it is not in bloom. Looks like it was but it has new growth which is only about 4-5" tall so far. Thanks for that bit of background information on the name! It's pretty cool to know.

[Ron-NY]

I have my kovachii hybrids growing in semi hydro

[nicki]

This one has been growing in a mix of bark, possibly cork and a few big chunks of charcoal. I can see peanuts in the middle. I'll see how that will work for me. I don't know when it will start putting out some new roots. I've tested one plant in s/h, a young Epc. It did great for about a year. Better than the ones in the bark mix. Then all the new roots it formed in s/h started to rot and the plant got tossed.