For a very long time, since the beginning of my orchid journey I had always though that there must be an orchid which is more special than any other. I dreamed about it for a long time and then I learned there is one, it was so special it was the beloved orchid of Queen Victoria, it was so wanted it was called gold of the orchid world. It was the king. Paphiopedilum rothschildianum. And thus, I dreamt of the day when I will have the chance to meet the king in person. And although I still didn't get the chance i meet his son.
There is no other feeling of bliss and awe when you are faced with a beauty that had stood the test of time. Paphiopedilum L'Ansoni had been first registered in 1898 by S.Low.
It's parents, the elite bunch are 25% paphiopedilum stonei, 25% paphiopedilum superbiens and the rest 50% goes to paphiopedilum rothschildianum.
This beautiful hybrid has a lot of characteristics coming out from all of their parents, paph. superbiens passed the purple of the pouch together with the mottled leaves and slight twirl to the petals, paph. stonei. gave the petals length and the markings and also both of these reduced the size of the plant and lastly rotschildianum added the maroon shade to the already purple pouch and added the beautiful patterns on all of the petals, especially on the huge and proud dorsal petal.
Although much smaller than paph. rothschildianum it's still a sizable plant, but the space is worth is as the foliage is absolutely stunning with deep marking which are a decoration even when the plant is not in bloom.
Let me surprise you with two things, firstly it is much easier to grow and bloom than the usual species which made this cross. It's more forgiving and house friendly.
Secondly, and there comes the big bang! It has a fragrance! No! You will say but I tell you yes it does. I found out by accident really, i was inspecting the pot and stuck my nose in the flower by accident - and man was i shocked.
I knew some species of paphiopedilum have a fragrance, but this will disappear after crossing usually. Never had I hear or read though, about a multifloral having a fragrance. And here I was, with a gentle whif o rose water in my nose. Such a pleasant and antique perfume.
It may be a dream... I don't know I will check on the next day.
There is no other feeling of bliss and awe when you are faced with a beauty that had stood the test of time. Paphiopedilum L'Ansoni had been first registered in 1898 by S.Low.
It's parents, the elite bunch are 25% paphiopedilum stonei, 25% paphiopedilum superbiens and the rest 50% goes to paphiopedilum rothschildianum.
This beautiful hybrid has a lot of characteristics coming out from all of their parents, paph. superbiens passed the purple of the pouch together with the mottled leaves and slight twirl to the petals, paph. stonei. gave the petals length and the markings and also both of these reduced the size of the plant and lastly rotschildianum added the maroon shade to the already purple pouch and added the beautiful patterns on all of the petals, especially on the huge and proud dorsal petal.
Let me surprise you with two things, firstly it is much easier to grow and bloom than the usual species which made this cross. It's more forgiving and house friendly.
Secondly, and there comes the big bang! It has a fragrance! No! You will say but I tell you yes it does. I found out by accident really, i was inspecting the pot and stuck my nose in the flower by accident - and man was i shocked.
I knew some species of paphiopedilum have a fragrance, but this will disappear after crossing usually. Never had I hear or read though, about a multifloral having a fragrance. And here I was, with a gentle whif o rose water in my nose. Such a pleasant and antique perfume.
It may be a dream... I don't know I will check on the next day.
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and are a property of their respectable owners.
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