'Teacup' Paphs

[Fairorchids]

A number of years ago I heard a lecture by Harold Koopowitz, proposing breeding for smaller Paphiopedilums. Considering that complex (Bulldog) hybrids easily can have a 24" leaf span, and kolopakingii goes 3'+, you can obviously fit a lot more 2" pots in the space of a couple of 6-8" pots.

Several years ago I picked up a couple of plants of(helenae x Pacific Shamrock), now named In-Charm Topaz. These bloom on 5" fans, but the flowers are still heavily influenced by the helenae parent.



Over the past 6 months, I have acquired about 8 seedlings of (In-Charm Topaz x Sorcerer's Stone), as well as the reverse. Where SS is the pod parent, plants are compact, but fans are at least 10" across. Where I-CT is the pod parent, most are 6" or less. The smallest one bloomed with a 2.1/2" flower on a 3.1/2" fan.





It was a little too small to breed with, but I intend to use it for the next generation when it grows up. In the meantime I have used pollen from these minis onto Paph Meditation (= Winston Churchill x charlesworthii), which is growing in a 3" pot.

[seaj]

I would love it if miniature paphiopedilums were readily available. They might not be as impressive, but they are just as beautiful to me.

[Fairorchids]

Check Deerwood Orchids in MN. He specializes in smaller growing Paphs.

[theroc1217]

I'm right by there, I should check it out. I've found Paph micranthum and a few others at Orchids Limited in St. Paul MN. I've found some other miniature orchids from someone in China, looking to get some of them soon to give to Orchids Ltd to try and hybridize for me.

[Vanda lover]

These are gorgeous! I love the colours. the yellow one belongs in our yellow living room.

[seaj]

What is the leafspan of a "miniature" paph? Also, what species contribute to such a compact growth habit?

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by seaj

What is the leafspan of a "miniature" paph? Also, what species contribute to such a compact growth habit?

In the Paphiopedilum section, helenae, henryanum, charlesworthii, spiceriaum & fairrieanum are all used. I have heard of barbigerum being used, and I am curious about coccinea, but I believe that it remains illegal in the US.

Occasionally you find a smaller growing plant in one of the other species (I have heard of a callosum with 3" fans).

You can also use the Brachypetalum section. Niveum concolor & bellatulum all have large flowers in relation to the fan size. Here I am looking to obtain thaianum, which is apparently legal now.

[quiltergal]

Tranliemianum is pretty small also. Leave span is just a bit bigger than helenae.

[theroc1217]

Micranthum and Helena I believe. I'm not sure about the others. Their leaf spans are all less than 8 inches, some as low as 5 or 6.

[ron-in-norcal]

Looks like some spectacular paphs will be available in a few years' time by the look of those.