I was wondering if Phrags and paphs can be grown mounted like phals? Just a curiosity. Thanks.

I have never seen it personally but I have heard that it has been done and even successfully.

There was a discussion here on teh same subject but I can't seem to find it. Yes, it's been done before.

Now that is interesting but why would you want to mount it anyway? I think I like them better growing in plant pots than up a wall or a tree.

The only Paph species that I can think would benefit from being mounted would be Paph lowii since they are also epiphytes. Those living in the south would have a great advantage of mounting Paphs and Phrags.

I agree with Brendan why on earth would anyone want to mount phrags their shape and stature would look awful in my opinion. The only benefit I can visualize is that mounting paphs would help in controlling the amount of water presented to the roots. As evryone knows too much water to pahs spells root rot.

Ed

Personally I prefer to grow them in containers where I can have full access to my plants instead of climbing ladders to reach them. To each his own I suppose.

I think it is a very interesting way of growing slippers orchids but it may be too much work I would think.

The only Paph species that I can think would benefit from being mounted would be Paph lowii since they are also epiphytes. Those living in the south would have a great advantage of mounting Paphs and Phrags.

Paph villosum sometimes grows as an epiphyte.
Paph concolor often grows on rocks, with limited organic material around the roots.
I believe that this applies to some of the other Brachys as well.

Kim

This could certainly be done with Phrags as long as you had a rock wall with constantly dripping water. It might be more trouble than worth but it would be an interesting experiment.

I think the paphs and Phrags would look nice growing attached to trees or a wall. Something different to look at. I think it is a good idea.

Paphs and Phrags are terrestrial orchids, and not epiphytes. This would be why you would not see them mounted as often as other types of orchids.

Personally I prefer to grow them in containers where I can have full access to my plants instead of climbing ladders to reach them. To each his own I suppose.

You made a good point Rocco. I would think it would take be too much work and then there is the danger of falling off the ladder.

Thanks for all the good replies.

Paphs and Phrags are terrestrial orchids, and not epiphytes.....

well, even then they are often considered terrestrial ephiphytes (running through the loose leaf mold)
parishii is or often is an epiphyte. the inflorescence even comes out fairly horizontally instead of vertically.

Paph villosum sometimes grows as an epiphyte.
Paph concolor often grows on rocks, with limited organic material around the roots.
I believe that this applies to some of the other Brachys as well.

Kim

Yes! Villosum is another epiphyte. I just couldn't remember which species were epiphytes at the time. Thanks for refreshing my mind.

well, even then they are often considered terrestrial ephiphytes (running through the loose leaf mold)
parishii is or often is an epiphyte. the inflorescence even comes out fairly horizontally instead of vertically.

Yeah parishii is another epiphyte. Wow my brain has been rusting away.

Phrag besseae could benefit from this experiment since they grow to similar conditions in nature.

This sounds like an interesting way to grow and display slipper orchids!