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How much heat can Phrag's take?

16 years ago

I have moved from New York to south Florida. My small collection is outside with a shade cloth, facing northwest. The orchids receive full sun from 4-8pm and the max temps so far are low 90's, and min temp are high 70's. I have heard that phrags dont do so well here in south Florida. I would appreciate any tips on growing phrags here. I have Phrag grande, Phrag Sorcerer's Apprentice and expecting 2 more phrag hybrids this week. Thanks

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Comments (6)

tab64
16 years ago
You are right about Florida and Phrags may as well add Zygo's, masd, dracula, some oncidiums. I do grow a hand full of Phrags and both that you mentioned. They will not take the FL some and heat. If your are lucky enough to have a wet pad problem solved. If like most Floridians we grow them more in a shady area, like a lathe house with a fan to move the air. Also most grow in pure spag and keep a saucer under them to hold water. I do not use a saucer since I water alot so my spag never dries totally. Also we do get alot a rain in the summer so if they are able to get the days of rain without drying out they will get crown rot. A covered shade house/lathe house will solve many problems.
garyfla_gw
16 years ago
Hi
You may have a chance as there are some heat tolerant ones. Have noted they are popping up quite regularly at Walmart, so somebodies doing it. Check out the culture requirements for the types you have ,like all the orchid families there's always another kind. gary
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paul86
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks for the tips. I will probably experiment outside and if they aren't doing that well, I'll take them in the house until cooler weather starts.
pamelaw
16 years ago
I am in Oklahoma and have a lot -- they did fine until this last week when we hit over 100 like a week of over 100 - worse in years - I put everything on the floor for the cool and lots of fans-- Krull Smith grows top paphs in Florida -- I figure if you can grow those you can do phrags -- I would suggest the hybrids and stay away from say caudatum because we have trouble blooming it here.
claritamaria
16 years ago
I have a grande that's been outside during the heat wave. Its in lava rock and S/H. I keep it wet. It has lightened up. but I am dosing it with weak High N fertiliser. So far it has really taken off. I shade it more during the 90+Âº days. I seem to find that paphs and phrags do well in s/h and rock. That was a cbarry tip and an excellent one! It is also working well on oncids.

Clara
paul86
Original Author
16 years ago
I use to live in Texas and purchased my grande there. I grew it inside during the summer and it did well but have never gotten it to bloom. Have had it for 2 years now.

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