Advice on types to choose....

[shakkai]

Well, I'd been doing well by not purchasing any new orchids since September... until today! I received a flyer from a local orchid nursery. They specialise in Paphs and Phrags, and I am sorely temped by a couple of the Phrags, even though (or because!) I don't grow any of them yet.

I've read through the previous threads on the best Phrags to start out with... and wondered if anyone could help me by confirming that these choices would be okay to start out with.

Flowering size division:
Phrag. pearcei 'Eagle'

Seedlings near flowering size,
Olaf Gruss (besseae x pearcei)
Silver Rose (Saint Ouen (using forma flavum) x Hanne Popow 'Isle of Jersey')

And if I'm feeling brave,
Cape Sunset (schlimii 4n x Eric Young)
OR
Grouville (Eric Young 2n x Hanne Popow 2n)
OR
Mont Fallu 2n (Grande 4n x longifolium 2n)
OR
Saint Peter 'Cornish Cream' (Eric Young 4n x longifolium 4n)
OR Sorcerer's Apprentice 4n

Of the last 5, I think I like Saint Peter the best...

Opinions? Recommendations? Things to stay away from?

[Lagoon]

I think you have some really wonderful choices there, Shakkai.
If size was any issue? Then ...

Mont Fallu 2n (Grande 4n x longifolium 2n)
Saint Peter 'Cornish Cream' (Eric Young 4n x longifolium 4n)
or Sorcerer's Apprentice 4n. Can get to be the larger out of the above selection - keep in mind this takes time too.

I say GO NUTS!

[shakkai]

Thanks Gloria! I think I can make space for 1 big one... but I want to leave space for next year's aquisitions! Maybe I will stick with the first three (pearcei, Olaf Gruss and/or Silver Rose) and pass (for now) on the others? Though I do really like that Saint Peter....

[shakkai]

OK. Tomorrow I am picking up:

Phrag. pearcei 'Eagle'
(Orchid of the Week Library: Phrag. pearcei)
Phrag. Silver Rose
(Can't find any pics....)
Phrag. Saint Peter 'Cornish Cream'
(http://www.slipperorchids.info/phrag...aintPeter2.jpg)

I'm also getting,
Dtps. Tony (http://orchidview.com/images/Photos/NS8248-1.jpg)
Maxillaria tenuifolia - (IOSPE PHOTOS)
Oncidium Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy'
(Oncidium Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate)

I'll post my own photos when I get them home! Thanks for the advice!!

[Lagoon]

Its going to be a fantastic haul
Maybe you should just deicde more when you get there, leave no stone unturned

... have a great time (as I know you will)

[shakkai]

Thanks, Gloria! I'll update again when I get back from there tomorrow. (I'm sure you're right, temptation is too great when they are right under your nose!)

[shakkai]

Gloria, You weren't kidding when you said those ones get big!! My - its huge! The complete antithesis of all of those minis I've been getting. That Saint Peter is now the biggest thing I have!!

Here's the pics:

The little pearcei, which I was assured will stay small:


Silver Rose, which should remain fairly compact:


And the giant of the lot! Saint Peter 'Cornish Cream':



I passed up some others, as I wanted to make sure I could grow these ones (and flower them!!) before I got any more. Now... to wait for these to bloom!!

[Lagoon]

Ha ha! I though you would have walked right by that saint peters, smiled and kept going, you surprised me
Well you got yourself some really wonder phrags, Congrats I hope you enjoy them

[shakkai]

Thanks, Gloria! I hope they live and do well. If they do, I'm sure I'm going to love them.

Every now and again, you gotta just go for it. It was such a healthy, hearty looking plant - who could say no to it?? I just know I can't do that very often or I won't be able to move in the house without bumping into a plant!

[quiltergal]

Nice haul Shak. I especially like St. Peter. Such a beautiful flower. I only have one paph.....delenatii. It's doing well and if I can get it to flower then I'm buying more slippers. Need to still add a phrag to the collection. I desperately want a bessea cross of some kind. But they're pretty spendy and I'd just croak if I killed an expensive plant.

Oooh Maxillaria tenuifolia You lucky!