Help me choose my paphs!
 

Got the idea for this thread from the "Help me choose my birthday orchids" thread. :blushing:

I'm planning to do a six-orchid haul. Half will consist of my beloved zygopetalinae, and half will be parvi paphs, which I want to try in the worst way.

I thought I had my choices narrowed down to three paphs (malipoense, micranthum, and armeniacum), but then I came across some hybrids and they blew me away. Now I can't decide, and I don't want to spend $200 on paphs. :shock:

I need help picking out three for my haul. I've confirmed that I can grow all of my choices, so culturally, it doesn't matter which three I pick. But they're all so beautiful... :blushing:

The hybrids will be easier than the species, especially when it comes to actually flowering them. But personally I prefer the species. None of these species are particularly easy (as I've already told you), but it really comes down to this: when you look at the hybrids, is there a certain trait that attracts you? For example, is it the yellow color from armeniacum, the big pouch from micranthum, the fragrance that is often passed on from malipoense, etc? If so, I think that it's best to just go for the species that possesses the traits you like, instead of taking shortcuts with the hybrids.

The easiest of these three is malipoense, but it is still easy to blast! make sure the plant you buy is quite large if you want to see blooms anytime soon, as malipoense needs to be at least 8" in leafspan to flower - larger than most Parvis.

Now I see there's a poll...lol. It's tough to choose. My favorite on the list is micranthum, so that's the one I voted for...

I should add - if you want a blooming sized Dollgoldi you will probably spend $200 on that one plant! But chances are you will only be able to find seedlings.

Hi
Dollgoldi is one of my personal faves and I have a seedling of it now. Hard to find though at times. I did notice however that Parkside Orchids has near blooming size plants in 4" pot with 8 - 10" leaf span for $35.00. Hope this helps!

:shock: Wow! That's a good deal!! You could easily pay that much or more for a 3-4" seedling! I'd be snapping that up Carl!

I have to vote for fragrant ones.