Paph purpuratum 2blooms + 1 spike

[phillygrower]

I've been focussing on growing paphiopedilums over the past year and a half and they've been doing really well under my conditions. Got this one in a "buy 5 /growers choice" deal from Carter and Holmes. This is the third bloom its had in a little over a year and this time its got THREE spikes!

It grows under t5 lights and is one of my most vigorous plants. Does any one know what some closely allied species are that might be just as floriforous and vigorous?

I'll try to add another picture when spike 3 opens.

[silken]

Wow, great blooms and such a healthy looking plant! I like the stripes on the white dorsal. Sorry I don't know much about Paph. species.

[SlipperGirl]

Gorgeous! I only have a Paphiopedilum venustum it seems vigorous to me but its the only paph I have so I could be really wrong on that, sorry I am no help.

[tucker85]

Great blooms! Very healthy, well grown paph.. Good job. I'm new to paphs myself, so I can't make any recommendations.

[eggshells]

That's a nice size plant. is there 5 clones in one pot?

[jeremyinsf]

Paph spicerianum grows like weeds for some people. Check it out!

[phillygrower]

Originally Posted by eggshells

That's a nice size plant. is there 5 clones in one pot?

Started as a single plant with two growths when i originally got it a little over a year ago. The first had previously bloomed, the second was in spike. Since then new growths come 2 at a time from previously bloomed ones. The other amazing thing is that after every 4th leaf on a new growth... a spike forms like clockwork!

So, it's not 5 different plants but a single multi-growth plant. i'll try to count later and say exactly how many.

[jeremyinsf]

How far from the lights is the plant?

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by phillygrower

Started as a single plant with two growths when i originally got it a little over a year ago. The first had previously bloomed, the second was in spike. Since then new growths come 2 at a time from previously bloomed ones. The other amazing thing is that after every 4th leaf on a new growth... a spike forms like clockwork!

So, it's not 5 different plants but a single multi-growth plant. i'll try to count later and say exactly how many.

You have one vigorous purpuratum, that's for sure! I have a purpuratum too, and it's one of my most vigorous plants, but not even close to your plant. I've read that both venustum and purpuratum form specimen plants quite readily, if you're interested in that species. Otherwise, my Paph. appletonianum var. cerveranum grows like a weed and flowers regularly every year.

I hope my purtpuratum will grow as well as yours in the future. It's working on two new fans this year, as compared to one last year, and it also seems to flower like clockwork.

Here's a picture of my little darling (from when it flowered this summer):

[WhiteRabbit]

Gorgeous blooms and a great looking plant!