The most I have spent on a plant was $48, for a small single fan Phrag. Jason Fischer. I have contemplated spending up to $75 on some lovely Joseph Wu Phals but I just can't do it.

I'd rather spend $100 on 10 seedlings and grow them to specimen size myself than pay someone else to grow them to specimen size and only have one. I do have the confidence in my ability to raise seedlings and I do have the patience.......both of which are free! ;)

I would pay up to $250 for an award quality plant.

Yes, for me, because I chiefly grow slippers, I am forced to pay $30 and up for my plants. There are no $10 plants in the slipper world! $30, unless you get a good deal, will get you a lower-end plant like a Maudiae type, which I don't even like. The average cost for a plant of my type is about $40-45. Some of the newer Phrag kovachii hybrids are $75 and up. If you're in to multifloral Paphs like me, seedlings a good 4-6 years away from flowering are anywhere from about $25-50, sometimes more if they're from awarded parents. I recently invested in a good quality Paph sanderianum, which cost me $225, and will bloom in about a year. Most people would rather buy a smaller seedling for less and wait 5 or 6 years, and I usually do that too, but I like to treat myself once in a while :D. Because these plants only bloom every couple years, I'd like to see the first bloom on this plant sooner than later. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Phals and Catts generally bloom 2-3 years out of flask? That wait is a lot easier than 5 or 6!

Many Phals will bloom within 3 years out of flask not so with Catts you looking at 5 to 6 years.

Hi Joe! I have seen the kovachii... I am in love with that paph. as well as the and was the main reason behind this question actually. I'd also like to get a paph. armeniacum... both are so amazing. Who is your source for paphs? I heart them and really would like to collect more, but am unsure where to "start" and how much I should expect to pay. Considering the wait of 5-6 years from seedling and the temperamentalness of these, I'm thinking I would be better off getting something already near blooming size, or at least within a year or two. I tried to talk my husband into letting me get a 12" tip to tip paph. kovachii (laura x ana) for $150, but he about had heart failure and said "uh, no." But I think I will start saving for it and get it when I have enough. :evil:

Do you get your slippers online or local to you? Can you recommend places online? thanks!

A while back I saw someones photos here of their slippers in white pots on a white window ledge, and I saved all of their pictures and dream of my own similar collection one day. It was stunning. I forget who posted them... I will have to go find it on the OB again! :bowing

smiles,
m

I've ordered mini Phrags from Woodstream Orchids and been very happy with them. They have a great selection of species Paphs, as well as hybrids. Here's a link. Woodstream Orchids The large multi florals are the ones that take 5-6 years to reach blooming size. The other sections will bloom in 2-3 years.

The member who poses his Paphs on the windowsill is Jim Blanford. He does have a lovely collection that would be the envy of any slipper collector.

Psst, kovachii is a Phrag. ;)

doh. :blushing:

I like to spend under $20 on a plant, but would be willing to pay more depending on how much I want it. I have limited myself to around $20 because I'm still new to the world of orchids and wouldn't want to kill a more expensive plant if it came to that.

I don't have "a" source for slippers, but rather many, both local and abroad. I have plants from Orchid Inn and Piping Rock Orchids (the latter sells kovachii), and they are both awesome. Paphanatics is reputed to be fantastic as well; I won't have any plants from there until I receive my first order in a couple weeks. Orchids Limited is another one that is supposedly excellent (albeit expensive), but again I won't have any plants from them for a couple weeks.

My Canadian sources, outside of my orchid society, include Paramount Orchids and Cloud's Orchids. Both are very good and will ship to the US, but the paperwork could be gruelling and I would suggest sticking to domestic sources for now.

If you're new to slippers I would strongly recommend buying exclusively blooming sized plants for now. Younger plants can be more difficult to keep and the wait is not worth it for a newbie. Have you grown a Phrag before? If not, I wouldn't be too hasty buying a kovachii. They're ridiculously expensive, and tricky. A 12" plant would probably take another 2 years to bloom. Start with a besseae hybrid, which is cheaper and easier, so you can get used to Phrags. Kovachii prices will go down eventually, too.

Paph. armeniacum is a somewhat tricky Paph as well. If you like that style of Paph, look for Magic Lantern, Norito Hasegawa, or delenatii for a starter plant.

Thanks for the suggestions I heart them! I will try to get a phrag, as I only have one little happy paph now whose id says Paph. (canticle x Macabre) 'Leopard Kitten' x Somer's Isle Open Armes' (which I found at a local store, so I'm sure it's nothing super special, but I loved it.

I realized I was sort of out of my league in looking at the kovachii, but boy oh boy, that sure is a gorgeous flower! I will try a besseae hybrid as you suggested, and I'll look at the places you suggest... the Piping Rock I have seen (kovachii) and drooled over many of their slippers. I would love it if you post photos of your orders that you receive! Thanks for the tip to get blooming size plants... I will. The paph I have I had seen at the store for at least a month and a half before I bought it, and finally I could resist it's charm no longer... even though it's bloom was about ready to fall of, which it did promptly the next day, :rofl: But alas, she is happy and has grown a whole new set of leaves and hopefully will flower for me : )

Thanks for your comments and suggestions... I appreciate you my friend!

smiles,
m