I won a phrag and a paph...cross culture q's

[Mrobert]

I recently won a Phrag Besseae and Paph Spicerianum at a local orchid society meeting. Unfortunately I am not a real paph/phrag guy.
I've managed to find decent culture sheets for Besseae and Spicerianum but I was wondering if anyone had some tips for these specific crosses:
The Besseae is 'bleeding heart' X 'colossal'
The Spicerianum is 'boss' X 'st. elsewhere'

I'd like to grow these in an east facing window that is has dappled-light (there is also a 100w CFL supplement).

Thanks- Mateo

[bench72]

Hi Mateo,

Congratulations on your win... gosh I wish my society has Paphs and Phrags as prizes for their raffles!

Now, Paph spicerianum is a fairly easy orchid to grow. Early morning light is good so an east facing window would be good for that. Just make sure the plant doesn't get too much of the day's hotter sunlight. As usual the moist but not wet applies and some air movement would be good, so open the window every so often when it isn't chilly outside. Temperature wise, this is a fairly forgiving plant and mine has withstood temps from 5 celsius to 45 celsius!

Phrag bessae can withstand a bit more light than the spicer but again hot midday sun is a no no. Oh, and also, put the pot sitting in water. This species of Phragmipedium likes wet feet.

So, good luck with the two new 'chids and looking forward to seeing them bloom!

cheers
pop

[Mrobert]

Thanks pops! Just what I needed.

They're both already blooming and the bessea will soon have two blooms. I'll post pics in another thread this evening.
-Mateo

[Jmoney]

use very clean water for the besseae and fertilize sparingly. it HATES salt buildup. the newer strains may be more forgiving, but the earlier ones also get ornery when the roots get warm. I only use clay pots and NZ sphagnum moss for my besseae. medium light at best, it is one of lowest-light phrags.

[Mrobert]

Thanks for the tip on the water, I use tap water for most of my orchids, but maybe it is time to invest in some form of clean water....need to research options...

[Jmoney]

NYC tap water is fine for besseae because it is low in dissolved solids. unless you have very hard water it probably won't be an issue, just go easy with the fertilizer. I might give it a quarter to half normal dilute solution every 2-3 weeks at most, for example.

[IdahoOrchid]

I have also heard that besseae is one of the few phrags that do not like to be sitting in water. I tried that and I no longer have a besseae. But I am not for sure that is the exact cause as we have a pretty warm summer here as well.

The best thing to do is to ask the person you got your orchid from how THEY took care of it before you got it.

[Mrobert]

Update on the besseae- It has produced 3 more blooms, but one day before the new bloom opens the old bloom detaches from the stem. Is this normal?

[bench72]

yep, very very normal!!! even though the bloom still looks like it is in good condition they will just do a kamikaze dive...

[IdahoOrchid]

Pretty sad, eh? My bes finished its blooming and flower diving and then the whole plant took a dive.