Paphiopedilum Adam Hausermann x Duncan York (#2) has really grown

Paph Adam Hausermann x Duncan York (6 years after purchase)

I repotted my two paphiopedilum seedlings today, and was shocked to realize that 6 whole years have passed since I bought these orchid seedlings.  While the growth on seedling #1 has remained rather stunted over (years of dehydration by neglect circa 2013-2015 haven't helped), the plant on the left has managed to establish a healthy root system, and has really grown up to what I think should be flowering size.

Evidence of damage on orchid

However, even this large and healthy plant bears multiple signs of past damage.  One leaf was half chewed off by my mischievous cat, when I had dared to try growing this orchid on a windowsill instead of safely within a glass terrarium.  Several of the longer leaves are bent and broken from being tossed around during multiple moves between apartments over the years.  Another leaf is significantly shorter than it should be--evidence that I had failed to sufficiently water this orchid during that period of time. 

Cat is sizing up opportunity to attack a newly exposed orchid

Even my presence is not a deterrent against attack

I decided to repot the paph because it has been a long while since I've refreshed its media.  Also, the plant was a little top heavy in its pot, and would frequently dry out too much between waterings.  I had noticed a new growth developing at the base of the main plant, and this seemed like a good time to switch up to a larger pot.

New growth on paphiopedilum orchid

The paph had a healthy clump of roots, which explains its great recent growth. I tried to be very gently in the repotting, disturbing the roots as little as possible.

Lots of healthy roots on paphiopedilum orchid

Paphiopedilum after repotting

Here is the paph after repotting.  The final pot is perhaps a little bigger than it should be, but I didn't have an intermediate size between the old pot and the new.  I had a problem with the orchid completely drying out between my weekly waterings when it was in a smaller pot, so hopefully this larger size will keep a better balance of moisture.  And if I'm really lucky, perhaps I'll see it flower by end of summer.  

Gorgeous Paphiopedilum hybrids from the DC Botanic Garden

I will readily admit my love for the colorful and showy splendor of orchid hybrids.  In the next few months, I think I will dive in to explore the lineages of some of these hybrids, but for today, I wanted to share with you the beautiful Paph collection at the DC Botanic Garden.

Paphiopedilum Devil's Canyon

Paphiopedilum Elphin Charm

Paphiopedilum FC Puddle

Unlabeled Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum Mazurka

Paphiopedilum Miller's Daughter

Paphiopedilum Mystically Mood

Paphiopedilum Olivia

Paphiopedilum Olivia

Paphiopedilum Orchilla 'Chilton'

Paphiopedilum Redstart 'Exbury'

Paphiopedilum Redstart 'Exbury'

Paphiopedilum Song of Love

Paphiopedilum Tree of Okazaki

Paphiopedilum Yerba Mate

Paphiopedilum Zycleon

Paphiopedilum Zycleon whole plant view

A Pandemonium of Paphiopedilums: Orchids of the DC Botanic Garden Continued

So many blooming paphiopedilum orchids on display

The DC Botanic Garden has some of the best displays of paphiopedilum orchids that I have ever seen in bloom!  So many species and hybrids, showcasing the amazing variety of blooms found in this genus.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

These were my 7 favorites from the display

The Paphiopedilum species:
7): Paphiopedilum primulinum

Paphiopedilum primulinum

Paphiopedilum primulinum is a modest bloom, but that adds to its charm.  One can easily miss these small yellow flowers, amidst a room of showy hybrid blooms.  But this orchid has a unique super power; known as the "ever-bloom" paph, its spikes can flower continuously for 3 years!

6) Paphiopedilum primulinum var purpurascens

Paphiopedilum primulinum var purpurascens

Paphiopedilum primulinum comes in various hues, and I loved this purple variety. There is something very fairy-tale charming about this orchid.

5) Paphiopedilum insigne

Paphiopedilum insigne

Paphiopedilum insigne is the "type species" for the entire Paphiopedilum genus, meaning that the Paphiopedilum genus description is based on this species.  That makes Paphiopedilum insigne the quintessential Paph!  No matter what genus reorganization the taxonomists might undertake in the future, Paph insigne will always remain Paph insigne.

4) Paphiopedilum gratrixianum

Paphiopedilum gratrixianum

Paphiopedilum gratrixianum orchids come in many shapes and colors. This particular flower was so similar to the above Paph insigne, that I had to triple check that I hadn't accidentally mislabeled my photos!

3) Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum

Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum

This orchid reminds me of Paphiopedilum primulinum, but its flowers are larger, and its colors are more intense. This is another ever-blooming orchid, which produces sequential blooms from its flower spike. One spike can produce flowers for 12-18 months, and the orchid will often start producing flowers from a new flower spike before the old one retires.

2) Paphiopedilum spicerianum

Paphiopedilum spicerianum

Paphiopedilum spicerianum has been bred into a multitude of Paphiopedilum hybrids.  In fact, almost 400 registered Paph hybrids list Paphiopedilum spicerianum as either a seed or pollen parent.

....and my absolute favorite Paphiopedilum species from the conservatory was:

1) Paphiopedilum richardianum

Paphiopedilum richardianum

I absolutely love how the petals of this flower blend from the gentlest of pastel tones into the high contrast purple edges.  The orchid flowers with multiple blooms on a tall spike--definitely an attention-grabbing species!

New York Orchid Show 2017: Thailand

New York Orchid Show 2017: Thailand

My favorite time of year has come around yet again.  The days are getting warmer and lighter, and the orchid show has opened at the New York Botanical Garden.  This year's theme is Thailand.  The show's typical lush displays of color feature many Vanda orchids, which are native to Southeast Asia.

I'll be putting up many more pictures from the show in the coming days, but here is a preview of what is to come:

I got to the garden right as it was opening, avoiding much of the crowds that would descend on the orchid show later in the day.

Phalaenopsis orchids arranged to resemble palm trees

Miniature orchids display

Deep purple variety of Dendrobium kingianum

  

Zygopetalum flowers

A rainbow of vandas so colorful, they don't even look quite real

Dendrobium hybrid

Many colors of dendrobium hybrids

Morning light shines through Oncostele Wildcat

More Oncostele Wildcat flowers