Paph niveum - 20th WOC 2011

Paph niveum (rchb.f.) Stein.

It is one of the few pretty slipper orchids species which is found not very far from us. The distribution range for this species is from Southern Peninsular Thailand to the Northern peninsular Malaysia.

It grows from 30 to about 300 feet, in moss filled cracks on limestone rocks. This is an easy to grow species and very suitable to grow them at window sill. Normally it produces one to two flowers and 3 flowers are not uncommon. Flowers are crystalline-white and dotted with small purple dots. Flowers last between 4 to 8 weeks.

Artificially propagated line-bred plants are easily available in the market. From the selective line-breeding, large and round flowers are produced. The award winning plant was grown from flask. It takes between 2 to 3 years to flower from flask.

20th WOC 2011 - Marina Bay Sands

The 20th WOC 2011 is currently held in Marina Bay Sands Singapore. This event is held every 3 years. It is like an Olympic for Orchids where orchids from all over the over are brought to display and competition.
There were 19 classes in the Cypripedioideae Group. It ranges from species to hybrids and single multifloras. Fellow Paph growers and myself submitted some paphs for this event. To my surprised, two of the brachys were awarded medals and 1 came in first(Blue Ribbon) under the Brachypetalum.
Below are some pf the photos for the display as well as the two medal awarded plants.
The Paph godefroyae was grown by me and sold to a fellow grower last year. Congrats to him for taking good care of the plant.
This shows that as a "tiny dot" in this world, we still can stand up and compete with the rest of the big time growers. More importantly, the message I would like to drive across is that it is a myth that we are not able to grow slipper orchids well here in Singapore.



Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum.

Paph niveum.
Window Display Unit #1 set up by OSSEA.

Nov 2011

Paph charlesworthii (Rolfe) Pfitzer.:
This species is restricted in distribution to the Shan State of northern Myanmar and adjacent bordering areas of Thailand and S.W. China. A lithophyte that grows in humus and vegetative debris on limestone rock.
Large dorsal sepal is pink/purple, with deeper pink veining and a narrow white rim. The smaller petals and pouch are chestnut brown. This small growing plant leaves are green with purple markings on the underside A unique feature of this species is the prominent node on the staminode shield. You could see it faintly from the top left photo.
Because of its pink colouration, it has been used extensively in hybridization to produce pink dorsal sepal.
The above are line bred cultivars that have flat, large and dark semicircular dorsal sepal were obtained about 9 months. Being an intermediate species, it prefers a cooler climate.

Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 371-1.
A fairly large flower with burgundy streaking markings over light cream base with nice and spotless pouch. A good balance between the petals and sepal. The NS and DS measure 78 and 50 mm respectively.
Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 512-3:
A very well marked and dark red tessellation over the whole round flower. Flower size is not large and hope the subsequently could be better off than the first bloom. This bloom is slightly smaller that her previous two siblings. The NS and DS measure 60 and 50 mm respectively.


Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 3620-10 :
This is the #10 plant from flask . The NS and DS measure 75 and 45 mm respectively. By far this is the biggest flower from this crossing. All the previous siblings are between 60 to 70 mm across the NS. This clone has reticulated markings.

Paph Muriel Constance:
This is a hybrid between Greyi (Paph niveum x godefroyae) and bellatulum. The flower has taken more of bellatulum characteristics with round shape and dark purple spotting.

Oct 2011

Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 5120-1:
This is the first bloom from this flask which took less than 2 years to bloom. Nice shape with very wide petals. Flower is is rather small measuring 60 mm across the NS.

Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 184-3:

Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 184-1:


Paph concolor:
A very easy to grow plant that needs bright light. This is a very well spread species which can be found all over Indo-China (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and SW China). This clone has nice tesselated markings on its leaves. Concolor flower is very long lasting averaging between 6 to 8 weeks.
Paph godefroyae fma ang-thong alba 5107-1:
A plant that was grown from flask.
This natural hybrid was originally found on the Ang-thong Islands off the east coast of peninsular Thailand. There is much controversy on this hybrid. Some taxonomist named it under niveum var. ang-thong. In the RHS register it is treated as godefroyae var. ang-thong.
The man made hybrid between godefroyae and niveum is listed as Paph Greyi.

Paph niveum:
A round flower, covered with light purple dots over the white base base. Like concolor, niveum blooms are very long lasting averaging between 6 to 8 weeks.

Paph niveum 4280-1:
Another clone of niveum.

Sept 2011

Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 155-8:
- This is the second bloom. This was one of the parents that made the cross for 157. Dark burgundy markings all over light cream base. Another crossing that have been producing dark, well marked and round flower. Flower 157 inherited the features of this parent. The NS and DS measure 65 and 40 mm respectively.
Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 155-7:
A sibling from the same flask that produced the above bloom.
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Paph Benkei:
A hybrid that was registered in 2004 from a cross between Paph godefroyae and S.Gratrix. It could easily be mistaken to be godefroyae. Round flower with burgundy streaks over cream base. I reckon this clone should be around 30% S..Gratrix and 70% of it from godefroyae. The shape and markings are strongly influenced by godefroyae . The NS and DS are 75 and 40 mm respectively.

Paph niveum:
A plant frown from flask and bloomed in less than 2 years. Round shape, small purple dots on white base. The plant is still small and the leaf span is between 6 to 8 cm.

Paph niveum:
A round with wavy fringe flower, covered with light purple dots over the white base base. Niveum blooms are very long lasting averaging between 6 to 8 weeks.
The flower NS and DS are 60 and 42 mm respectively.

August 2011 Part 3.

A couple more more flowers to share.

Paph ang-thong alba 5107-7:
This is the plant from previous posting but with the second flower. Somehow the shape of the second flower is more symmetrical but slightly smaller than the first flower.

Paph godefroyae fma leucochilum 5009-11.
An rather small flower as compared to its siblings. Flower has burgundy streaking markings over light cream base. The pouch is round and plum. The NS and DS measure 50 and 44 mm respectively.

August 2011 Part 2.

Paph Fumi's Gold 3520-1:
A beautiful hybrid made by a Japanese from two yellow parents and registered in 1991. Namely, Paph armeniacum and Paph concolor. The flower and leaves take the shape of Paph armeniacum. Fine purple spots over the yellow base. The longest leaf span is below 60 mm versus NS of the flower which is 68 mm across. No doubt the flower is larger that the leaves but this flower is able to stand alone without any stalking.

Paph ang-thong alba 5107:
A plant that was grown from flask. The stalk carries 2 flowers with another of it hiding behind the bloom.
This natural hybrid was originally found on the Ang-thong Islands off the east coast of peninsular Thailand. There is much controversy on this hybrid. Some taxonomist named it under niveum var. ang-thong. In the RHS register it is treated as godefroyae var. ang-thong.
The man made hybrid between godefroyae and niveum is listed as Paph Greyi.