Paph ceramense
 

Or, maybe, Paph bullenianum var. ceramensis? It's my very first Paph which I purchased a moth and a half ago. It came with a spike that the seller was pretty convinced wouldn't bloom so he suggested I removed it for the benefit of the plant. I couldn't and didn't. This is the spike today and boy am I glad I didn't follow his advice! :biggrin:

It's not completely open yet, but I couldn't hold it any longer, so here it is:

http://www.neovita.com/orkideer/bild...40558.orig.jpg

http://www.neovita.com/orkideer/bild...40559.orig.jpg


The flower today, I think it has opened completely now:
http://www.neovita.com/orkideer/bild...40637.orig.jpg

http://www.neovita.com/orkideer/bild...40638.orig.jpg

The entire plant:
http://www.neovita.com/orkideer/bild...40639.orig.jpg

Paph and Prillan:
http://www.neovita.com/orkideer/bild...40641.orig.jpg

I don't need to tell you guys what a proud Paph owner I am that has managed to keep the spike alive and thriving, right? ;)

I'll post more pictures when the flower is completely open and also of the entire plant. :)

EDIT: Pics of the entire plant is up!

Very cool, what a great accomplishment. How big is the orchid? Could we see a picture of the whole plant?

Very nice!

So pretty!

And to think you thought you'd never own one. Lol

Thanks guys! :biggrin:

I'll upload a picture of the whole plant when the bloom is completely open. It's a rather small Paph, not as small as hainanense, but definitely on the smaller side. The largest leaf is 15cm long or 5.75", the flower is, at the moment, 5,5cm (2.5") wide and about 4,5cm (2") high, the spike is about 30cm (12") long and it's the only thing that's not small. In other words; it's a spike with some plant attached to it. ;)

Thanks! Well, I noticed after being a member here for a while that I started getting partial towards some of the Paphs, so I had actually planned to venture into this genus eventually, but it happened so much faster than I had anticipated. :shock: Now I have 15 with five more incoming (I ordered the last two for a while today - the most expensive ones out of all my orchids) and it all started with this little guy. :blushing:

The colors are incredible! Very pretty!

nice color!
Congrats on excellent shipping :)

Love it!

May I ask what type of camera you have? The pictures are so clear and crisp!
Also, I'm curious what the leaves look like. :)

Well done Mutant!! I love it. It is so pretty.

Thanks guys! I'll let it know that you like it, I bet it'll be very happy then. :biggrin:

Oh, I use an old digital camera, a Samsung Digimax S600. I think it's at least five years old now and I think it's dying on me to be honest.

No professional camera in other words, just luck. :D

My cats try to eat my spikes. I have to keep them away from all my orchids.

Lucky me, mine don't. Prillan sniffed a Phal spike I accidentally managed to break and she gagged after sniffing it for a while. They really don't like the smell of Phal sap I think.

So far, they haven't had the chance to taste any Paph spikes (this guy stands on a pedestal so it's out of their reach), but so far they haven't shown any interest in biting the foliage of them either. I hope the same goes for the spikes. :nod:

Oh, I wish I could have a cat too.

They're very sweet little things and I'm very glad I have mine (I have two). I love orchids, but they really don't know how to purr now, do they? ;)

When I move I will have two cats and two dogs. I like pugs for the dogs -a black one and a white one. But then again, I also like french bulldogs too so I don't know what dogs it will be but I will definitely be getting two cats. They are so loving and friendly aren't they?

Yup. I don't regret for one second that I got mine and I've had them for five years now.

Aww, Pugs are sooo cute! And French Bulldogs too (I've grown up with Boxer so I love dog breeds that look like they've run headfirst into a wall ;) ). :love: I want to get a dog too, a Staffordshire Bullterrier will be brought home one day. :blushing:

I also love Boxers!! :). I am an animal person what can I say? I want some exotic fish and a tarantula one day too. I just want it all really :D

They got such a personality but I figured it's such a decease prone breed that I wanted something that was more healthy but with the same personality, thus the Staffordshire Bullterrier. :D

Same here, I want a Corn snake, a Brazilian Rainbow Boa, an iguana and many many more. Unfortunately, I don't have the space nor time for all of the animals I want, but I think there will be a snake or two in the future. :nod:

Wow, really nice Paph!