I need some advice on how to get "Jason Fisher" to perform. I inherited three Phrags from a lady who received them as a gift associated with a friend's death. Phrag "Mem. Dick Clements appears to be putting out new growths from a pitiful looking plant remnant, "Living Fire" looks like it may be ready to send out a bloom spike, I purchased "Inca Embers" for myself and it looks like it is doing fine, but this "Jason Fisher" plant has not done a thing since last September when I received these plants. I mean NOTHING! The only things I can say is that it is still green and I am beginning to wonder about that. I am fertilizing three out of four waterings as I have read that Phrags are heavy feeders. I am growing them in a mix of fine coconut bark, coir, and fine grade diatomite.

My growing conditions:
Day Temps- 80
Night Temps- 60-65
Humidity- 60%
Light- T5 HO fluorescent lights 12 hours a day in winter

I am successful at growing Paphs, Catts, and Phals, however, this particular Phrag has me purplexed. Thanks for your help.

I don't have a Jason Fischer but I do have an Inca Embers and it grows like a weed for me. I grow indoors similar to your conditions but I use HPS lights and with HPS I just about grow and bloom any plant.

Sometimes, newly acquired plants need time to adjust to their new surroundings and conditions, so they may sulk at first in the beginning.

I have never known an orchid of any kind to take six months to adjust! LOL It must really be upset about being in my care. This plant has not done one thing since I acquired it. Thank you for the response.

Six months is not unusual at all. I have had newly arrived plants sulk for more than six months and then they start growing and blooming happily.

Give it more light. Mine refuses to grow nor bloom at low light conditions.

I have never known an orchid of any kind to take six months to adjust! LOL It must really be upset about being in my care. This plant has not done one thing since I acquired it. Thank you for the response.

It's not uncommon, especially for sensitive plants like the Angraecoids. I've seen angraecoids that sulk for over 2 years after moving/repotting. :rolleyes:

Have you repotted it, what is the root system like? If it doesn't have roots to support the growth above the potting media, then that might make sense. When I acquire new plants, I generally will repot, I want to know what the root system is. If I get a plant that has fresh bark & comes from someone who knows what they're doing, then I'll leave it alone 6-12 months or after blooming.
Tom at FoxValley has his besseas shaded even during winter months here in the midwest. I have to wonder if too much light may be a factor?

It is under two four foot fluorescent shop lights with two 6500K lights and two 3000K lights. I do not have it under the high output fluorescent lights because of it being a bessea hybrid. Could my light set-up still be too much light for this particular Phrag? I have "Living Fire" under the high output lights and it is growing like mad.

I would consider giving it more light than fluorescents. In an article some years ago, Chuck Acker said that he grows his mature Phrags, including besseae hybrids, in light almost as bright as Cattleyas need, 2500-3000 foot candles.

Scott - you haven't indicated the size of the plants. Is it a seedling? What size pot? Have you checked the root system? Jason Fischer has a much stronger Bessea influence than Living Fire. Just because it's right for Living Fire, doesn't necessarily make it right for Jason Fischer. Seedlings normally would not have as high as a light requirement as adult plants.
Less is sometimes more.

I think that this plant has bloomed before. As stated before, I inherited this plant from a friend on mine (along with three others that appear to be doing ok). She had a friend that collected red Phrags and apparently was VERY good at growing them. This friend of hers passed away last summer so I really want to go a good job with these plants. I will try moving it to less light and see if get any better results. Thanks for your advice.

Best of Luck! :fcrossed: We're all rootin' for you!

I really don't think your fluorescent lights are bright enough but good luck and keep us posted.