Thursday, October 26, 2006

Phragmipedium schlimii

This is a fantastic miniature species from Colombia. Small Phrags are pretty rare, and usually schlimii hybrids are mid-sized or large because the compact size is not dominant. The best part obviously is the flowers, which are not only beautiful but very cute. They have adorable round faces and a fuzzy texture. This little guy is currently about 8" tall with its first flower; the leafspan is about the same. Being a sequential bloomer it will obviously get taller. It has grassy leaves. As it reaches specimen size it will get a little larger leafspan (10-12").

Phrag schlimii is a rare collectors item but worth buying if you ever find one. They are not difficult to grow and make good companions with besseae and mottled leaved paphs. Grow the same as besseae; schlimii can take a little higher light and warmer temps. Do not expose to the Cattleya light that larger Phrags like. I grow semi-hydroponically, as I do all Phrags except the drier growers.

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