Hello, I am somewhat new in Phrag growing, so please forgive my basic question of what medium you are growing your phrags in. I perhaps put the plow before the horse by buying 4 nice phrags w/o doing my research.

Most of my orchids are planted in bark and pumice rock. I am familiar with this type of medium and wonder if I should repot them into that. Thus far they are in some kind of moisture retaining medium, which is difficult for me to know as to when it's time to water.

These are the phrags I have:
Sorcerers Apprentice
Appalachian Sunset
Sargentinianum
Albopurpureum 'Sir Arthur'

Non of the phrags are at this time standing in a tray of water.

Thank you very much for your advice.

Helga.

Bark mix should do fine especially if you are more familiar with the medium.

I would plant them in bark, and those Phrags will like lots of water!

Bark mix should do fine especially if you are more familiar with the medium.

I would plant them in bark, and those Phrags will like lots of water!

:iagree::iagree:

Phrags do very well with bark mix and the plants you have listed are water lovers.

I grow most of mine in moss, I always say start what with what you a familiar with

What is confusing to me is that some phrags are said to like sitting in a saucer filled with water (much like s/h) while others, still water lovers, do not.
So, what is the saucer all about, if all phrags are being kept quite moist?

Is it normal for phrags to sleep (so to speak) all winter? I have not seen ANY growth, except for the Appalachian Sunset, which is planted in bark/pumice, and is blooming right now.

What is confusing to me is that some phrags are said to like sitting in a saucer filled with water (much like s/h) while others, still water lovers, do not.
So, what is the saucer all about, if all phrags are being kept quite moist?

Is it normal for phrags to sleep (so to speak) all winter? I have not seen ANY growth, except for the Appalachian Sunset, which is planted in bark/pumice, and is blooming right now.

Most Phrags can be grown in trays of water, it just has to be changed out often. My Phrags do sleep during the winter, so it is normal for them to do that.

Not all Phrags like a lot of water but the plants on your list do like to stay wet. The only Phrags that do not like to stay too wet are the caudatum type Phrag species.

Nancy and Nick, when you say "whet", does that mean the bark needs to be soaked? My Sargentinium was in 1" water after I bought it. It bloomed nicely but later I heard Sarg's should not be kept in a saucer so I removed the water. I found that it grew several new plantlets from the bottom, but for 2yrs. now it sits and waits. Maybe the bark is not water logged as much as it should. Also, because of general warnings not to use too much fertilizer, I may not have given it enough. I hate the guessing game.

This is the first year all my phals, oncs and brassia are blooming like crazy. I finally figured out how to do it. Good feeling.

Thank you both for responding.

Helga.

Hi Helga, the Phrags that love water can be watered almost daily during the summer months and they like to stay wet. If your plant was growing happily in standing water then don't change a thing. Why fix something when there is nothing to fix, you know what I mean?

If you grow your Phrags in trays of water be sure to change the water every other day regularly.