I've just received my first phrag! a Phrag. Sedenii with one previously bloomed growth and 2 new ones, a really healthy looking plant. It came in a plastic pot with medium grade bark and the roots are already growing through the holes of the pot. I've been reading your posts on the genus, here's what I'm thinking of doing:
- pot: clay. Summers here are really hot, and any aditional cooling is important. I use clay pots for all my plants.
- medium: I don't have s/h materials available in the market here, so I'll probably use small grade bark mixed with coal. Should I add some sphagnum to the mix? I do use it in my paph mix because of the high temps and low humidity levels, and they all seem to like it.
- watering: I'm a bit lost here. Phrags like it pretty wet, right? Should I leave it standing on water (for the summer, I mean)?
- feeding: I usually feed my paphs very lightly once a week. Is it enough for this one?
- light: I understand phrags like reasonably high light levels. I'm thinking of placing it close to the window, with good indirect light for most of the day and direct light early in the morning and by the end of the day.
Any help would be really appreciated!

Thanks a lot,
Teresa

Hi Teresa,

Not all Phrags like to stay wet, some prefer to be on the dryer side but your Sedenii is one of those Phrags that will like lots of water. If you're growing outdoors in the summer, then yes growing it in a dish of water should be fine. Don't worry about the hot summer temps, just place it in bright shade outdoors. Fine bark mix should be fine and that is what I use for all of my Paphs and Phrags. Hope this helps!

Hi Teresa! Congrats on your first phrag! Here is my advice, most of which I learned from trial and error.

Be careful putting a phrag in a clay pot outside. Clay pots will dry out very fast, and some phrags won't like that. Maybe if you put the clay pot in a dish of water that will work just fine and keep it from drying out completely. Watch the water and see how long it takes before the dish is empty. As long as the medium doesn't get dry it should be ok. Feeding lightly should do fine for most phrags. Make sure you use distilled or rain water because most tap water has too many minerals and other impurities, and your phrag will hate it! Good luck!

Teresa
I wouldn't add Sphag. It breaks down too quickly in the constantly wet medium. Check your yellow pages for a hydroponic store. They would carry a product Hydroton or another similar expanded clay product, which I use for S/H culture. I have some Phrags in a bark mix with grow cubes added. Grow Cubes are rock wool and hold moisture and being it is inorganic, it doesn't break down. Good luck with your first Phrag!!

Thanks a lot for the advice!

Good choice! Congratulations!