I've long been a lover of the slipper orchids, especially Cypripedium. However, I've mainly stuck to observing those in the wild. I'm starting to get that itch... You know what I mean... I want to grow a slipper! I've always loved Phrags, so I decided I'd like to give one a shot (Well, Mexipedium xerophyticum is my absolute favorite, but a)I probably couldn't afford one b)if I did actually buy one, I'd probably kill it). However, I'm currently in college so I'd need something that I could pretty much just windowsill grow (I could rig up a humidity tray or something similar... I just can't do a grow-light setup). Anyway, I just had room lottery last saturday and managed to score a nice apartment with east facing windows. So basically, here's my criteria:

-relatively inexpensive (hey, I'm in college! sorry!)
-relatively hardy
-species, hybrid, complex hybrid, whatever. It makes no difference. I am partial to the Micropetalum section, however, but disregard that.
-small is ok. I don't necessarily have to make the thing bloom. I just want to grow something.

If nothing fits the bill, let me know. I don't want to kill an innocent Phrag. Alternate Paph suggestions are also welcome. I just love Phrags! Thanks for the help, forum!

One of the easiest orchids I have is Phrag. Sorcerer's Apprentice. The only problem is the thing can grow to be pretty big. I had it for several years on a window sill and it blooms consistently even with neglect and just grows and grows and I find it pretty rewarding. When it's not flowering, it just keeps growing more leaves or new growths, so it's always giving some kind of visual message. That said, I'd stay away from p. caudatum, because that one is a little finicky. Hope this helps and happy growing!

For paphs, I'd recommend p. appletonium.

Sorcerer's Apprentice is a great grower, but start with a young one. Mine takes up a 5' x 5' area and only has a couple spikes (but is always in flower).

I would recommend anything with longifolium in it, especially crosses with other like species. Conchiferum has grown in a jar of water for many years for me on a windowsill that started as a joke. You should be able to make this cross thrive on a windowsill with minimal effort, just a dish of water to sit it in.

Jon

One of my first was St. Peter (Eric Young x longifolium).
Easy, grew like a weed, bloomed reliably for months at a time twice a year.

Personally, I think longifolium hybrids get too big, and I don't have any any longer, but if you have the space, they are nice growers, for sure!

Thanks for all the information, guys! It looks like it'll probably be a longifolium hybrid, as it sounds like those besseaes are too picky. It looks like I'll end up ordering something from the Windy Hill Gardens Phrag list, but I don't know what.

Oops, looks like their minimum is $50. Nevermind!

I vote wallisii!

Not the easiest to grow, but it has relatively small fans and spectacular flowers. Eric Young (besseae x longifolium) is a nice hybrid and actually stays a reasonable size.

--Stephen

I really appreciate all the input! So I'm assuming that the common theme is hybrids > species? Hybrid vigor / less expensive, I suppose?

Zach,
If you just want to grow something that is economical, easy to grow and bloom, and won't get the size of a small refrigerator, I would suggest one of the older hybrids like Phrag. Sedenii or Cardinale. There should be lots of those around in collections, and you might find one at a local orchid society meeting when the members sell extra divisions. I would not recommend that you start with Mexipedium xerophyticum, as it is still rather expensive and a little tricky, even in a greenhouse for some people. Likewise, I would also not recommend you start with the long petaled species. If you like the long petaled phrags, you might try Dominianum or Meditation. Those are both "relatively" reasonable sized plants when mature, some have quite long petals and beautiful color and contrast in the flowers, and they are waaaaay cheaper and easier to grow than caudatum, wallisii, or warscewiczianum. If you are drawn to species, pearcei, schlimii and fischeri are probably the smallest Phrags. All three are relatively easy to grow, but not as easy as some of their hybrids. Next in size would be richteri, caricinum and perhaps a small growing clone of longifolium - but the longifoliums can sometimes get very large too. Besseae is small, but kantankerous to grow and keep inside a pot. You may also find some inexpensive unawarded divisions from fellow orchid growers of Dick Clements, which may have nice red flowers, and bloom freely. Lots of us keep some of the older hybrids around out of sentimentality - or plain stupidity in some cases, and we are always willing to part with divisions for a song. I bet if you talk to the folks in your nearest orchid society someone will have one they divided into five or six divisions and would be happy to bestow one on you for almost nothing or even for free.:cool:

Zach,
If you just want to grow something that is economical, easy to grow and bloom, and won't get the size of a small refrigerator, I would suggest one of the older hybrids like Phrag. Sedenii or Cardinale. There should be lots of those around in collections, and you might find one at a local orchid society meeting when the members sell extra divisions. I would not recommend that you start with Mexipedium xerophyticum, as it is still rather expensive and a little tricky, even in a greenhouse for some people. Likewise, I would also not recommend you start with the long petaled species. If you like the long petaled phrags, you might try Dominianum or Meditation. Those are both "relatively" reasonable sized plants when mature, some have quite long petals and beautiful color and contrast in the flowers, and they are waaaaay cheaper and easier to grow than caudatum, wallisii, or warscewiczianum. If you are drawn to species, pearcei, schlimii and fischeri are probably the smallest Phrags. All three are relatively easy to grow, but not as easy as some of their hybrids. Next in size would be richteri, caricinum and perhaps a small growing clone of longifolium - but the longifoliums can sometimes get very large too. Besseae is small, but kantankerous to grow and keep inside a pot. You may also find some inexpensive unawarded divisions from fellow orchid growers of Dick Clements, which may have nice red flowers, and bloom freely. Lots of us keep some of the older hybrids around out of sentimentality - or plain stupidity in some cases, and we are always willing to part with divisions for a song. I bet if you talk to the folks in your nearest orchid society someone will have one they divided into five or six divisions and would be happy to bestow one on you for almost nothing or even for free.:cool:

Wow, that's a lot of information. All of it has been copied and pasted into a text document, I assure you! I looked up that Memoria Dick Clements you mentioned, and that has to be one of my favorite primaries (that I've seen). Thanks for all the information!

Zach,
We order plants frequently for auctions, raffles, and sales. I'd be glad to let you know about the next order we place. We're getting plants very reasonably from several growers and we're just up the highway from you!

Hi Zach

I wish I see this post of your earlier. I would not be so insensitive about the price of the kovachii flask.
For I did not pay attention to member profile description! and did not know you are still in college. Just happen that I had been given my orchids away left and right recently ( to my relatives & their friends, to friends & coworkers & their relatives..) the bulk of collection are gone , because I just got hook on slipper orchids & want to clear room for all the phrag flasks that I just bought (Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of growing room !!).
out of maybe 60 or so of the cattleya , I keep only 4
the 24 dendrobium nobiles shrinking down to 6
for the oncium intergeneric, I keep maybe 6 out of 48
I keep about 88 of my phals, however, the other half is gone.
I did the same to all the other types.
God knows, how many future orchidholics I just create in the last year alone.
The last package I just sent out last saturday to my cousin had 2 phrags in it.
-The INCA EMBER is very nice except the red color is at the back & not the front of the petal.
The SARGENT ERIC color is too light for me.
(Wish I know , I would have send them to you instead, since her house is already overflowed with my plants)

If all the kovachii seedlings survive (I am not too good with slipper orchids culture yet !! therefor the IF) I will definitely keep one kovachii species for you .
Why don't you look at the list of flasks that I order, and tell me which cross of kovachii you like the most. I will try to save one in that cross for you.
The exception is the wallisii x kovachii cross (I already promise one to Stephen) & The kovachii x dalessandroi (which I like to keep all the seedlings)

Hien

By the way, the source for the mexipedium you mention on your post is the most reasonable priced, and they are the divisions of their own plants, if you notice the clone name.


.