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Thanks a lot Jose. I am thinking of using MSU fertilizer for the Phrags. and I think I am getting some place at the Uni Greenhouse so nice bright light yeah !!
That's great to hear, Amey - getting greenhouse light will make all the difference in the world. Now, of course, you'll have to assess the greenhouse humidity, air movement, and water quality, as well as its vulnerability to insects and disease! If you're using your own fertilizer there (or anywhere else, for that matter), I know there are different formulations of MSU fertilizer based on the water type.
Greenhouse space - I'm so jealous!!!
See Maura thats the benefit of being a doctoral student in plant molecular biology hehe. Since it is a research greenhouse, I can have whatever parameters I want. The temperatures will be 25 at day and 18 oC at night. Light around 3500 foot candles, humidity 70% day (don't have the readin g for night, and yes it will be very airy because of the good air circulation. For the water we have a tap that supplies de-ionised RO water pH 6.5, so I can add all nutrients I want. Now I think you will want to start a PhD as well LOL !
Thanks, Jose...good info!
I look forward to your bloom photos, Amey. I'm sure you will grow and bloom these exceptionally well.
Congrats on your first phrags!
I only have one phrag (a cute little schlimii that I should have done my research on before buying... I was told after the bud blasted that it's a particularly "fussy" phrag. Figures... LOL!!)
In a surprising turn of events, however, I've found that my little phrag isn't really that fussy after all... the bud blasted due to shipping, but ever since that little bump in the road, it's been a happy little plant. I have it in a ceramic glazed pot with one small drainage hole at the bottom. This holds the moisture in, as it's glazed on both the outside and the inside, so it really stays nice and damp inside. It's planted in a perlite/bark mix with a top dressing of sphag. I have it in Catt light, and it's been putting out new growth like crazy for the past few months.
I'm particularly delighted and surprised by my little phrag, as I was sure I was going to kill it... but I find that having the top dressing of sphag takes the "guesswork" out of knowing when to water. When the sphag on top starts to get dry (I usually wait for a little "crunch" when I poke it), I give the plant a good, thorough watering with plain old tap water, which is city water where we live, and that seems to do the trick.
I've never tried s/h, so I can't give you any advice in that regard, but basically it seems that phrags like to be wet, wet, wet... with lots of light and warmth. And when I've happened to pop into other forums when doing searches for phrag care, generally people who are struggling with their phrags get their cries for help answered with one or two-word responses... usually something along the lines of "WETTER!!"... or... "MORE WATER!!!" (I'm not crazy about those other forums because I'm not a fan of being screamed at in all caps... but "WETTER!!!" certainly does get the message across, I suppose. )
I can't wait to see bloom pics!! I know some phrags can get quite large... I'm curious how big yours will get. My dream is to someday own a purebred kovachii... I think I'll have to wait until the price drops below 'several hundred dollar per plant' though! LOL!
All the best to you and your new additions! I can't wait to hear how they're coming along! Good luck, and happy growing!
i've been threatening to get a nice phrag one day to try... it's been a while since i tried any slippers, had a nice lovely paph for many years that never bloomed due to not enough light, now i know better and would like to try again... i would like a nice multi-floral paph or a phrag, and would love some suggestions on an easy to find kind that is suitable for beginners.... any suggestions to research would be appreciated. i'm sure if i tried i could make space among my oncidiums for a phrag in a south facing window, but if anyone knows one that can handle southern california outdoors in winter, please tell me! i'm also interested in trying semi-hydro, so this might be the perfect intro? i already have the pellets...