Hi guys, does anyone know off the tops of their head(s) which Phrag is the most tolerant of lighting? I would like to be able to grow (& bloom) a long petaled phrag like the Court Jester (Phrag (boiserianum x caudatum Grandiflorum) or the Phrag Paul Eugene Conroy (Phrag (wallisii x longifolium) for example.

Is it possible to have successful phrags like these in a east/ north/east window with no supplemental lighting or would I have to settle with a dream of one day getting enough space to put a grow light set up? By the way, just how small can you reasonably sent up a grow under light? the smallest I can think of is the 4 ft grow lights which might make the how set up about 6 ft across?

regards m

Besseae is normally found in shadier areas.

The besseae types are the ones that love water and grow in shady areas and the caudatum and longifolium types grow in bright sunny areas.

Hi Mary,

The long petaled Phrags that you mentioned, grow quite big at maturity and they do require high light to grow and bloom to their full potential.

...By the way, just how small can you reasonably sent up a grow under light? the smallest I can think of is the 4 ft grow lights which might make the how set up about 6 ft across?...

actually, the 4 foot grow lights are best for an area 3 1/2 feet... fluorescent tubes aren't very strong and don't cast their light too far...
a hid light is much more efficient, casts stronger light and the bulbs last longer too...

because phrag pearcei I believe is a low light, I suggest Phragmipedium Betheva (Phrag pearcei x caudatum) for the long petalled ones. They are also very compact, I've seen the plant. I didn't buy one yet though so I don't have experience with it. Paramount has it.