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Phragmipedium is a genus of "Ladyslipper" orchids native to Central and South America. In nature, they generally grow in moist to wet areas, especially along streams, waterfalls, wet cliffs and hillsides. Plants can often be found growing in mid-stream gravel bars where they are flooded during the daily rainstorms. Phragmipedium Calurum 'Lydia Merkle' is here photographed in February 2003. The plant's inflorescences stand over four-feet high, and the span of the leaves is over three feet. The plant is growing in a 14" plastic pot, with rockwool and Hydroton as a potting media. |
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| Culture: Phragmipedium Calurum seems to grow best in intermediate conditions with bright light. Temperature - 55F winter nights and summer days as high as 85F, Light - 2000 to 3500 footcandles, Humidity - 50 to 90%, Watering - keep moist at all times, some growers allow their plants to sit in shallow dishes of pure, clean water. Fertilizer - routine, very-light fertilizer with a balanced (20-20-20) ratio feed. Never allow the plants to sit in fertilizer water to prevent burning of the roots and leaf tips. All Phragmipediums benefit from good air movement in a buoyant atmosphere. Blooming - this hybrid tends to be "everblooming". It sends up flower stems from freshly matured growths, 2 to 3 times per year. The flowers open consecutively on branching flower stems, over many months time. The flowers last 2 to 4 weeks each, and, as typical of all Phragmipediums, the flowers suddenly fall off when still in perfect condition. | ||||
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Phragmipedium Calurum is
a man-made hybrid between the species 
