Phragmipediums

Growing & Flowering Phragmipediums

Presented by Tony Budrovich August 2017 (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species Distribution

Currently 26 species described Distribution: South-west Mexico and central and tropical South America (Map source Wikipedia) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium longifolium 1896. Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador & Brazil. Stream banks. Grow warm. (Photo Wiel Driessen) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium caudatum 1896. Bolivia & Peru. On trees & cliffs. Grow cool to warm. (Photo Walter Wust ) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium boissierianum 1896. Ecuador & Peru. In damp valleys. Grow cool to warm. (Photo Walter Wust ) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium boissierianum in situ. (Photo Isaias Rolando) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium sargentianum 1896. Ecuador. In damp areas in shade of trees. Grow warm. (Photo Ecuagenera) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium schlimii 1896. Colombia. Mountain slopes with water seepage. Grow cool to warm. (Photo Ecuagenera) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium pearcei 1975. Ecuador & Peru. Above streams. Grow cool to warm. (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium besseae 1981. Ecuador & Peru. Wet banks & rock faces. Grow warm. (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium besseae 1981. Ecuador & Peru. Grow warm. (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium fischeri 1996. Ecuador. Steep river banks. Grow cool to warm. (Photo Ecuagenera) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium kovachii 2002. Peru. Wet humus with dolomitic stone. Grow warm. (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium kovachii 2002. Peru. Grow warm. (Photo source Henrey Oakely) Phragmipedium Species & Distribution

Phragmipedium kovachii 2002. Peru. Grown too warm (left). (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Hybrids

Phragmipedium Grande ‘Chinaman’ (Photo Tony Budrovich) Early Phragmipedium Hybrids

Phragmipedium Calurum 1883 - schlimii influence (Photo Tony Budrovich) Phragmipedium Hybrids – P. besseae influence

Phragmipedium Eric Young (Photo Tony Budrovich) Phragmipedium Hybrids – P. besseae influence

Phragmipedium China Dragon (Photo Tony Budrovich) Phragmipedium Hybrids – P. kovachii influence

Phragmipedium Fritz Schomburg (Photo Tony Budrovich) Phragmipedium Hybrids – P. kovachii influence

Phragmipedium Graeme Jones (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Hybrids – P. kovachii influence

Phragmipedium Maria Teresa Fighetti ‘Woodvale’ (Photo Tony Budrovich) Phragmipedium Hybrids – P. schlimii influence

Phragmipedium Raspberries ‘N Cream ‘Emma’ (Photo Tony Budrovich) Phragmipedium Species Habitat

Grow naturally in wet moss covered terrain, while a few grow on trees and some on damp rocky outcrops. Most can tolerate high levels of dampness. (Photo Manuel Camacho) Phragmipedium Species Habitat

Phragmipedium kovachii in situ (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species Habitat

Phragmipedium boisierianum in situ (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Species Habitat

Phragmipedium boisierianum in situ (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Culture

GENERAL: •Different from Paphs •Grow faster than Paphs •Hybrids are the easiest •Species – try longifolium •Both species and hybrids grow well locally in our conditions Comparison with Paphiopedilums

Paphiopedilums Phragmipediums Generally lower light Generally higher light Phalaenopsis light levels Cattleya light levels Don’t like overwatering Don’t mind overwatering Like to be drier Like to be damp to wet Generally smaller size Generally larger size Tolerant of water quality Intolerant of water quality Less sensitive to fertiliser More sensitive to fertiliser Grow slowly Grow faster Seasonal blooming Blooming through year A little harder to grow Somewhat easier to grow Generally more compact plants Generally larger plants Importance of Light

Light Group Lux Examples of orchid genus for light group

Low 12-20,000 Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis

Medium 20-30,000 Phragmipedium and Cattleya

High >30,000 Vandas Importance of Light The Hand Test

Light Group Indicator Examples of orchid genus for light group

Low No shadow Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis

Medium Light grey shadow Phragmipedium and Cattleya

High Dark shadow Vandas Importance of Light

Key points: • Aim for medium light for Phragmipediums • Use lower light if unsure • Ensure even filtered light with no shadows • Ensure 8-10 hours of light a day Phragmipedium Culture – Potting Media

•Do not let the medium dry out •Slightly acid except P. kovachii •Sphagnum moss •Pine bark •Coconut husk or coir & perlite •Add charcoal - optional Potting Media – my mix

•4 parts coir (can use 50/50 bark) •1part perlite •½ part charcoal Phragmipedium Culture - Watering

•Rainwater is best if you have it •Scheme water is ok with dilute fertiliser •Phrags are less tolerant of salt in water •Water to keep the mix moist •Phrags tolerate a damp mix •Try Phrag pots in saucers in summer •Water to flush salts between fertilising Phragmipedium Culture - Fertiliser

•Dilute fertiliser – say ¼ to ½ strength depending on mains water quality •EC should be 0.5 - 0.6 •PH should be about 6 – 6.5 (slightly acid) •Apply weekly or fortnightly in the growing season to monthly or not at all in winter. •Flush between fertilising to prevent leaf tip burn Phragmipedium Culture Temperature, Air Movement & Humidity

•Range from cool to warm growers •Hybrids can tolerate extremes better •Strong air movement cools & leaves and reduces fungal problems and pests like mealy bugs •Humidity 60% - 80% •We grow in a glasshouse with a fan and an evaporative cooler and heating in winter and it is possible to grow these cool. Effect when conditions are too hot

Phragmipedium kovachii 2002. Peru. Grown too warm (left). (Photo source Alfredo Manrique) Phragmipedium Culture – Pests & Diseases

•Generally not affected •Watch for snails and slugs and treat as required •Keep an eye open for mealy bug and mites •Watch conditions do not support fungal attack – e.g. very high humidity, heat and lack of air movement or stale air Growing & Flowering Phragmipediums

(Photo source Alfredo Manrique)

Thank You & Questions?