My phrags this fall and winter 2008

[smartie2000]

I had good sucess with phrags this year compared to previous ones. I am very pleased, so I thought I'd share my photos

Fall Phrags:

Phrag Michel Tremblay


Phrag besseae (possibly has dalessandroi in it as it was labelled Phrag dalessandroi, but it is debatable whether it is a hybrid Phrag Jersey (dalessandroi x besseae) or straight besseae. Most say it is straight besseae. Since dalessandroi is a variety of besseae in Cribb's taxonomy, I label it is besseae now)


Phrag Randy Macdonald, besseae, Michel Tremblay group shot. (I posted Randy Macdonald in a previous thread this fall)


Winter Phrags:

Phrag pearcei (possibly var. ecuadorense)



Phrag Albopurpureum



Phrag Waunakee Sunset


Thanks for looking and everyone have a happy new year!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I am drooling! Those are so beautiful, Fren! Excellent growing and photography!

Cheers,
BD

[cherublace]

those are truly beautiful pictures!

[Ania]

Fren, your phrags are beautiful! How do you grow them?

[e4rly]

Ohh so lovely, i always curious with Phap..

[smartie2000]

Fren, your phrags are beautiful! How do you grow them?

Thanks

I grow them in a sphag mix usually, but they aren't so fussy about growing medium. My city tap water has a high pH so I thought that the acidity of moss might balance it out (I don't know if this is true). Another Phrag grower in Quebec has also been using moss, but many different mediums are possible. Most importantly is that they stay wet. These are always sitting in a tray of water since I cannot water all the time. They cannot be overwatered in my experience, and some people water everyday. I fertilize rather loosely, since they don't seem to be too particular about how often I fertilize. Many of them have live moss growing on the medium because of the moisture. I think the growing area cooled down at night as winter progressed triggering my plants to bloom.

I have been keeping them under a metal halide lamp recently too and having a light mover helped a lot. I didn't have a light mover when I first installed the lamp so the light would always shine at the same spot, therefore there was either too many shady dark or hot spots. I bought my light mover used so it wasn't too expensive (more than half price of a new one). It allowed light to shine in all areas as the lamp moved, eliminating hot spots or dark areas. Hot spots may burn leaves. I also noticed increased growth rate especially for those plants that were in shadier areas before. I definitely recommend a light mover for those who want a halide lamp, the benefits exceed the cost of the equiptment (plus I can fit more plants since the area which light shines increases). I also have a small fan to keep the air moving and fresh.

[bench72]

Wonderful photos of very beautiful Phrags!!! The Michael Tremblay is my favourite, but wouldn't knock any back!

Thanks for the info re your growing environment... it's very helpful, esp your use of sphagnum.

[smartie2000]

Thanks

I want to let everyone know that my Albopurpeum is probably a Phrag. Calurum (Sedenii x longifolium). Slipper growers have suggested this plant mislabelled, when they look like mine, and many of them are all around. Potentially a tag mix up at some point

[Piper]

They really are lovely, Fren! A nice mix of the different influences.

Great photos too!

McJulie

[Orchidzrule]

Fren, these are stunning. I want to go and acquire some Phrags after looking at your photos! I think I like the Albopurpureum (or Calurum) the best, but it's a tough choice.

Cheers,

Rob