A new Paph spicerianum
 

6 weeks ago I purchased 1/2 a box (15 plants) from Lehua, including a couple of spicerianums. One plant had leaves 1.1/2 times the width of the other, so I held on to that one.

Photo was taken on Sat Nov 22, and shows the flower just barely open. It has a spectacular dorsal, so I elected to use this plant for a remake of Paph Leeanum, which is in the background of 65% of all Paph hybrids registered.

When I was in the greenhouse a week later, the base of the dorsal had rolled a little, but it is still far better than any of my 8-10 other spicerianums. I can't give you a picture of the mature flower, as I remove the slipper when pollinating.

You might debate whether it is worthwhile remaking Paph Leeanum. I think that the line bred plants available now have the potential to improve on the Leeanums bred 100-130 years ago.

I used my probably tetraploid Paph insigne 'Piping Rock', which comes from a selfing of var. 'Harefield Hall'. At least I have used premium parents, so now we just have to wait 5-8 years to see the results.

Paph Bruno ?? idk, it doesn't look like the pure species to me, especially with that flat dorsal that is usually rolled back in spicerianums.

Dorsal rolled some, but not much, after a week. Anyway, I know Bruno, and I trust my supplier, so this is a spicerianum.

Since I am keeping the plant, I will try to get a better photo next year.

Well good luck. That is one long time to have to wait.

Nice insigne!