We continue to offer this new and fantastic species from Peru that has been a
project that we have been working on now for four years. Phragmipedium kovachii,
the species, was a little slow to get started ... The seedlings are only now at
a point that we are comfortable with the way the plants are growing and will
start to full fill all the seedlings presently on back order. If you are one of
those customers, please continue to be patient and we will notify you as soon as
your seedling is ready. For those ordering for the first time, unfortunately
until we full fill the back orders, you also will be placed on the back of the
ordered list, however, we hope by spring to be completely caught up.
The reason for the delay was the simple fact that we are dealing with a new
species and needed time to experiment with its culture. The biggest problem we
faced was I wanted to see better root growth ... well, we finally have it. It
turns out that P. kovachii requires additional calcium in its mix as well as a
higher pH then most orchids and once we figured this out, the roots started
growing for us. So, what did we do to accomplish this? Now that I look back, it
was a relatively simple matter of just adding calcium chips or cracked oyster
shell to the mix. These two products are used as a feed supplement for nesting
birds to help harden their eggs and can be found at any farm feed store or bird
feed store. Our growing mix is a basic seedling bark mix and we add about 5% of
the calcium chips or cracked oyster shell to it. In doing so, we have taken care
of both of the needs of the plant. We also found that it benefited the seedlings
to grow them in very low light while they are still young. Once they reach a
size of 8-10” leaf span, you can start to give them more light.
As for the hybrids ... they have been growing just wonderfully. The calcium and
pH doesn’t seem to be a factor in growing these. However, we have added it to
their mix as well and have seen that the hybrids also benefit from it.
As previously, there can be no quantity discounts allowed, nor can we accept the
$30.00 AOS coupon for any orders of Phragmipedium kovachii or its hybrids.
However, both the quantity discount and AOS coupon are still valid for the rest
of your purchases. I do apologize for this inconvenience, but do hope you
understand the circumstances surrounding this new and exciting plant.
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- Updated
04/08/2008