Paph rothschildianum maiden blooming!

[xiphius]

The first flower is almost open! Squee! I do not know if the petals will continue to expand as the sepals open more fully or if they will continue to hang a bit like that; however, even with the drooping, the flower is massive! Just over 6 inches so far from tip-to-tip (sorry about the glare). I'll take some more/better photos when the flower is fully open.

I have had this plant for just over 3 ish years, got it as a large, single-growth, seedling.

The pedigree is (Paph rothschildianum 'Kimberly' X Paph rothschildianum 'Last Chance'). There appear to be 3 buds in total. I am quite pleased with this one so far.



Closeup


Measure

[WhiteRabbit]

Very exciting!

[Bulbopedilum]

Very nice! How long have you had it for?

[orchidsarefun]

Congrats. Blooming and reblooming these types of large and magnificent paphs is always exciting.

[xiphius]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Very nice! How long have you had it for?

I don't actually remember exactly when I got it, but I have had it for somewhere between 3 and 4 years. I got it as a single growth, large seedling - I would guesstimate somewhere between 1 and 2 years old. So the plant itself is probably 4-6 years-ish.

Since then, the main growth has gotten huge - it dwarfs all of my other plants at ~2.5 feet from tip-to-tip. It also started pushing two smaller growths the past couple years. These are both still <6 inches though.

It's actually a bit annoying in that it started to flower right as I was getting ready to repot it. I decided to hold off until it is done because I didn't want to spook it, but I shudder to think what I am going to find when I actually get around to it. It has been throwing mix out of the pot for the past month or so. I will probably have to scrounge it up some larger accommodations.

And thanks guys! It is indeed very exciting.

[orchidsarefun]

My recommendation for a pot would be for a cymbidium pot - much deeper/longer than wide. They love these. My lowii, St Swithin and Harold Koopowitz are doing great now. The lowii is in bud, 2 new growths and the St Swithins should start spiking in a month or so. The Harold Koopowitz has just finished.

[xiphius]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

My recommendation for a pot would be for a cymbidium pot - much deeper/longer than wide. They love these.

Interesting. Mine is currently in a pot that is deeper than wide as well, and really seems to be loving it too. I do put a layer of lava rock or styrofoam peanuts at the bottom of the pot to increase air circulation though. I am always worried about conditions becoming too stagnant in very deep pots. I probably worry more than I should though.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by xiphius

Interesting. Mine is currently in a pot that is deeper than wide as well, and really seems to be loving it too. I do put a layer of lava rock or styrofoam peanuts at the bottom of the pot to increase air circulation though. I am always worried about conditions becoming too stagnant in very deep pots. I probably worry more than I should though.

Remember that Paphs are semi-terrestrial, and so like to stay wetter than epiphytic orchids. They'll put up with wetter-than ideal conditions for long enough to get through the blooming. Putting the layer of inorganic material at the bottom of the pot for air and drainage is excellent - they do love the air too.

[xiphius]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Remember that Phaphs are semi-terrestrial, and so like to stay wetter than epiphytic orchids.

Very true. I have actually found that a great culture tactic for paphs is to keep a "lawn" of live moss always around the base. Pretty much all of them go crazy for this, even the ones that don't go crazy don't seem to mind. I have noticed the live moss layer seems especially helpful for the following species:

micranthum
rothschildianum
sanderianum
henryanum
philippinense

All of these seem inordinately fond of moss around their base and in many cases put out more roots into the moss than into the bark mix below. The moss also acts like a nice litmus test for watering. If the moss is dry, the plant needs water. If the moss looks damp and luscious, the bark has plenty of water for the roots.

Roth root in the live moss "lawn":

[MrHappyRotter]

Good job. I don't have the space or patience for a roth, so I'm glad to see that others do!