Phrag. Grande (caudatum x longifolium) is the best caudatum-type hybrid in my opinion. Having been bred in the late 1800s, it's tried and true. It has very large, dramatic flowers with a rich mahogany lip, lighter sepals and long, spiralling, purple-pink petals up to a foot long. A mature plant reaches 2.5-3' tall in spike, and it produces 2-6 flowers on a spike which are open more or less at the same time. It will bloom for many weeks in this way. To bloom, it needs high light levels (like a west or south window). This type of phrag is best not grown in water like the besseae types but should be watered frequently. Also, they tolerate tap water better than the besseae types. I bought this plant very recently at a local orchid society meeting for $65.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Phragmipedium Grande
Phrag. Grande (caudatum x longifolium) is the best caudatum-type hybrid in my opinion. Having been bred in the late 1800s, it's tried and true. It has very large, dramatic flowers with a rich mahogany lip, lighter sepals and long, spiralling, purple-pink petals up to a foot long. A mature plant reaches 2.5-3' tall in spike, and it produces 2-6 flowers on a spike which are open more or less at the same time. It will bloom for many weeks in this way. To bloom, it needs high light levels (like a west or south window). This type of phrag is best not grown in water like the besseae types but should be watered frequently. Also, they tolerate tap water better than the besseae types. I bought this plant very recently at a local orchid society meeting for $65.
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