Paph Season 2023

[Tony]

Off to an early start this year, adding lights to the greenhouse seems to have worked wonders.

Normally a March bloomer, Wössner Black Wings 'Bitis Botanical' AM/AOS is almost fully open. This was my first awarded plant, unfortunately the first bud blasted, I lost quite a few buds when I had to run supplemental propane heat for the arctic blast but I'll take that over losing plants.


First roths of the year is a first bloom 'Gold Dynasty' x 'Giant Wings', sibling to my favorite first bloomer last year and looks like it will have similarly saturated color.


Last year's sibling:


Yang-ji Apple. I hate it, I want to toss it over the fence and then scour my collection for any remaining Yang-ji Apples and Hung Sheng Generals and toss them after it for good measure.




Saint Swithin, another victim of the propane heater. I'm torn on this one, I like it but I don't know that I like it enough to justify keeping such a big plant that has not improved its flower count past three in three bloom cycles. 30 cm NS with a 4.7 cm dorsal is nice but not sure it will ever be awardable. Not in a rush to get rid of it but it probably won't stay forever.



I love this spicerianum, it's a big, chunky and reliable plant that blooms every January like clockwork. I pollinated it with my tigrinum 'Peanut' AM/AOS for a little speculative fun.



Some not Paphs:

Nottara Lucy's Sassafrass 'Tightie Whitie' FCC/AOS


Another Lucy's Sassafras, not quite as nice as Tightie Whitie but I think it could be an AM when I can get it to judging.

 

[Happypaphy7]

That Saint Swithin is quite nice. I love the color and the patterns on the dorsal.
Maybe it may bloom with 4-5 flowers per spike on its next cycle?
Your greenhouse looks full of flowering plants!!

 

[Justin]

I think 2023 is going to be my best blooming season. I have a lot of great stuff popping. Almost 20 years of growing out flasks is reaching critical mass...

Planning to post a lot of pics this year.

 

[Tony]

That Saint Swithin is quite nice. I love the color and the patterns on the dorsal.
Maybe it may bloom with 4-5 flowers per spike on its next cycle?
Your greenhouse looks full of flowering plants!!

After three bloom cycles I'm doubting it will improve, but I like it enough to let it hang out until I need space so we'll see.

 

[Tony]

I don't know if it is the supplemental lighting, changes to my feeding program, or a bit of both but I'm seeing big improvements in spike length and flower count this season.

 

[Happypaphy7]

Am I seeing 6 possibly 7 buds on that haynaldianum (or is it lowii?) spike??

 

[Tony]

That's a haynaldianum, it's either four or five. I was just groping it and I can't tell yet if the fifth bud is developing or if it will be the little terminal bud that never does anything. Last year it only gave us three flowers so either way it's an improvement.

 

[Ozpaph]

exciting times at your place.

 

[Happypaphy7]

Congrats!! I got rid of all my haynaldianum. lol
I want a dark and vividly colored one that makes lots of flowers like those Hadley Cash had.
Btw, I see the one flower (is that WBW Bitis?) missing a pouch. Have you already crossed it with something or was for easier harvest of pollen?

 

[Tony]

Congrats!! I got rid of all my haynaldianum. lol
I want a dark and vividly colored one that makes lots of flowers like those Hadley Cash had.
Btw, I see the one flower (is that WBW Bitis?) missing a pouch. Have you already crossed it with something or was for easier harvest of pollen?

I crossed it to 'Gabby' and pulled your pollen.

 

[NEslipper]

Your plants are beautifully grown. Excited for the roths!!

 

[Tony]

The roths and first Hsinying Anita are progressing nicely, the Anita could be a good one if it flattens out as it continues to open.

 

[Tony]

If I wasn't for the staminode I'd be wondering if this was a Wössner Black Wings, not much of the stonei influence coming through.


First roths flower looks more or less fully open and the second is on the way.

 

[Justin]

I realized I titled my 2023 thread the same as yours Tony. I guess I just want to be like you

 

[NEslipper]

If I wasn't for the staminode I'd be wondering if this was a Wössner Black Wings, not much of the stonei influence coming through.
View attachment 37815

First roths flower looks more or less fully open and the second is on the way.

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View attachment 37817

I would hope there wouldn’t be any stonei in a WBW. That dorsal is all roth though! Loving the roths, please keep us updated!

 

[Tony]

I would hope there wouldn’t be any stonei in a WBW. That dorsal is all roth though! Loving the roths, please keep us updated!

It's not a WBW, it's Hsinying Anita which is Lady Isobel x anitum.

 

[NEslipper]

It's not a WBW, it's Hsinying Anita which is Lady Isobel x anitum.

Oooooohhhh ok got it, thanks!

 

[Tony]

A second Hsinying Anita is opening, looks like it will be nearly identical to the first. A surprising outcome with how variable the cross seems to be but not unwelcome.




Roths 'Black Bird' x 'Mont Milais' is painfully slow to open but I see a nice dark pouch in there.

 

[Tony]

Hsinying Anita #2, this one won't be staying.

 

[richgarrison]

say more about "this one won't be staying."

looks like 3 flowers, and still opening the first...

and first bloom?