Phrag. Kaila Quintal ((kovachii x dalessandroi) x schlimii)

[Raver]

I got this one yesterday, it's still very small. Biggest leaf is 9" long. Does any one know how to grow this one??? I havent been able to find any info on this particular cross so i researched each of the parents and i have come to the conclusion that it likes lots of water and cold to intermediate temperature, is this correct?? I am not sure about light but i think it will do good is cattleya light. Any info will be helpful.

[Susie11]

This will be lovely when it flowers with the Kovachii and Schlimii it. I am guessing a big pinky purple flower with a fat pouch! . I have no idea of the requirements but good luck anyway. I'm sure Brutal Dreamer will know. Are you going to keep it in the spag?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Byron, you are right on track with this orchid. I only caution you about the sphag that it is growing in. Sphag will hold fertilizer salts if not washed out well during watering. Just be sure to flush the pot well. The phrag will take more intermediate than cool temps (IMHO). At least that is what I would do with it.

Cheers,
BD

[Raver]

Thank you guys for the help, i dont think it will be in sphag for long. I usually keep my slippers in seedling bark mix or is s/h.

[Graeme J]

Hi Raver. Over the past 18 months I have purchased around 300 kovachii hybrids and species. I grow all of mine in a mix consisting of 50% pine bark, 10% charcoal, 10% perlite, 10% chopped up tree fern, About 10% sphag and a small amount of shell grit. I grow mine in a controlled temperature between 15 and 35 degrees, however they don't seem to mind up to 40 degrees. The most important thing is the humidity, needs to be around 60%.

Water is of utmost importance and I don't believe that they can be overwatered provided you keep the mix very open with the pine bark and charcoal around 2cms. I water daily in the mornings by hand. I also have misters coming on 3 times daily for about 30 seconds when the temperatures are over 25 degrees, this helps keep the humidity up. I, at present have 12 plants in spike, some of these were only deflasked 7th July 2010. Lots of luck with yours.