WHY IS PAPH. xyz MY FAVORITE ORCHID

[TROPICANO]

I would love to learn from my colleagues here what is their absolutely favorite Paph. SPECIES and why ! I am particularly interested in learning why you find this particular species so beautiful; so floriferous, so easy to grow, so challenging to grow, etc..

[CTB]

My two favorites unite: I love PEOY, I love the dark brown stripes sort of the Zebra effect, -----with a Dad like King rothschildinium, and a Mom like Queen sanderianum, Prince Edward looks like he belongs in the royal family. The long twisted petals are so regal looking. I guess getting that first bloom is the tough part.

I don't have one but would love to buy one, any sellers out there?

[Leafmite]

I do have a favorite paph. Paph. Petula's Ghost x (callosum x maudiae) is really cool when in bud. The dark stem and bud look like a mythical serpant. Even my spouse and kids were impressed with the way it looked (they have no interest in my orchids). The leaves are pretty out of bloom, too. Who cares about the flower?
As for ones I don't own, someone in our orchid society brought in a St. Switherin (?). It was very impressive. I probably would never buy it but, wow!

[Leafmite]

Oops. None of these are species. Sorry.

[eggshells]

My favourite is Paph adductum and Paph anitum. Reason behind that is because they are such unique plant. Very ominous looking. I also find it culturally challenging and hence gives a very big satisfaction once you see the plants growing.

On the small side. I like helenae and coccineum because of their size and vigour.

I do like every paph species. The only one that I am not very excited is paph lowii. However I do like the album version.

[TROPICANO]

Thanks guys for your thoughts ! Interestingly enough I love Paph. lowii; I find the odd-violet color of the petal tips so exotic ! Thanks for sharing.

[dounoharm]

i love em all....whichever one is blooming at the time is my fav, lol......

[RosieC]

Like dounoharm which ever is blooming, however Paph liemianum I think is a favourite species. Love the sequential flowering and just love the look of it. I also love the similar looking hybrids like Paph pinocchio.

[Rowangreen]

I've only got one Paph at the moment. I got a venestum because of the amazing leaves.

I've also been wanting one of the multi-florals like philipinese or Lady Isabel, but not able to decide. I've only got room for one really, and it's a big investment of money (for a blooming size one) or time for a young one! Then I heard of wilhelminiae. Comparitively small and fast growing but with great colours. I've just pre-ordered one from the US to come over with the grower in October!

[billc]

I'm partial to paphs to begin with, and the multi florals in particular. To me their bud formation to flowering is something to behold. You get this big fat striped bud that keeps swelling, then it starts to open at the tip and these beautiful long petals start to spill out over several days.
Roths and their hybrids have a nice bold striping that just gets your heart a fluttering.

Bill