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Showing posts from 2016

What's in my Paph - The origin Story of Paphiopedilum American Hybrid

You would think if something is named American hybrid it most definitely comes from the US. However, the history plays a great trick on us here and delving into it is very important the evolution of a very important breeding line in the paphiopedilum orchids. Recalling, as we know the breeding of paphiopedilum hybrids was at its peak in the XIX century, however, the first great stop was caused by the World War I. The destruction that raged across the continent forced the people to have special safety procedures in place. At the outbreak of World War II, curators of museums across Europe scrambled to pack up their priceless artworks, artifacts, and prized collections to protect them from potential harm. Meanwhile, botanists in Europe were also pondering ways to preserve rare and precious plants as conservatories and greenhouses were being torn down for scrap metal, with the further recollection how they were simply destroyed and burned during the invasion. Plant hybridizers in Gr...

Whats in my Paph - The struggles of Paphiopedilum Maudiae growers.

"Your paphiopedilum is so nice". "How do you do it? Why does your paph. grow so fast and mine doesn't?". "What should I do to make my paph. Maudiae grow/bloom/rebloom?" "Paphs are so frustrating! I have a paphiopedilum Maudiae and it doesn't do anything!" These are the questions I have seen online and also received myself from many people. And no wonder it can be confusing, Paphiopedilum orchids as wonderous and beautiful they are can seem a bit intimidating and confusing. It is probably because if the enormus market for the Paphiopedilum Maudiae types. First of all, lets lay some groud here. Quick recap - Paphiopedilum orchids are a genus of  terrestrial or semi terrestrial( however there are exceptions) orchids found in Central and Southern Asia, they are know as Slipper orchids due to a characteristic pouch which resembles a slipper. There is more than 60 recorded species and several natural hybrids and thousands of ma...