The story of a large Paph, aka THE EAGLE HAS OPENED

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3 years later, two flowers fewer, but I’ll take it!

Here’s my cherished jungle-collected “heritage” roth, gifting once again it’s majesterial presence to Chicago’s roughest time of year.

One year ago this month, this plant was up to 8 nice growths, including 3 mature, including two swelling with promising bud. Then I screwed up my RO maintenance and poisoned basically everything, overnight. Woke up to a startling general yellowing of leaves across genera, which soon turned brown and crinkled up my dreams. I estimate I’d have had 80 plants in bloom in my little apartment and instead I had one.

This roth was hard hit. Lost all but 2 growths. One two-year-old and one baby survived. I soaked it in RO, then First Rays potions, then repotted and prayed.

Exactly one year later, here we are! Yes, I know it’s just one flower. But I’m probably more thrilled this time than last. I’m fascinated by how compact the growths are; it was a 3.5-foot wide floppy fella when it arrived. As always, knowing my plant’s provenance means it provides me with a precious piece of jungle visual thrills me to the core of why I grow exotic orchids. Thank you, unknown (to me) 1955 entomologist who, on a wife-pleasing whim, plucked this beauty from the Bornean jungle, and thanks to all who have appreciated and kept it thriving since, as I hope it will be kept when I am only a part of its long story.

As before, it sits maybe 3 inches from my south window, year-round. The windows have “failed” and appear dirty as a result, but that’s the only shading my plants get.

So pleased. Thank you for enjoying with me.
 

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It's a very attractive roth. I love it. Congrats on the save.
Thank you! I know there are a few of these wild ones around. I am tempted to self it but not on a recovery bloom. Hypocrite purist that I am, I’d actually love to see what happens with pollen from one of the crazy-bred Japanese plants set onto this mother.

The width of the laterals just blows me away: so wispy-fragile, such a reach.
 
Hey Brucher, I'm very impressed even though I'm not a paphperson. If all species Paphs. looked like that,
I'd love them. I think it's magnificent.
Oh I’m so glad! I just never get over the idea that I’m seeing something in my apartment that can be seen in the richest, deepest jungle far away. I swear there’s a spirit in them.

You don’t have to be “a paph person” but if you have the space and light, you could surely grow this species!
 
Oh I’m so glad! I just never get over the idea that I’m seeing something in my apartment that can be seen in the richest, deepest jungle far away. I swear there’s a spirit in them.

You don’t have to be “a paph person” but if you have the space and light, you could surely grow this species!
If you think what a wild plant has to go through to germinate and survive the harsh jungle environment, in fighting disease, weather and animal trampling (or being eaten alive by insects), they indeed have the ‘spirit’ and genetics to overcome the millions of things that can go wrong and do them in.

And not to mention the human uprooting, transport across oceans and adjusting to our home/GH environments, it’s a wonder it’s still alive and well (with a flower to boot 🤭)!!!!

It is such an amazing achievement that you kept it alive and well. Keep up the good work and divide backups when you can! Pass it on!
 
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If you think what a wild plant has to go through to germinate and survive the harsh jungle environment, in fighting disease, weather and animal trampling (or being eaten alive by insects), they indeed have the ‘spirit’ and genetics to overcome the millions of things that can go wrong and do them in.

And not to mention the human uprooting, transport across oceans and adjusting to our home/GH environments, it’s a wonder it’s still alive and well (with a flower to boot 🤭)!!!!
Could not agree more. It is an embodied miracle. 1955 to now. Per the grower who sent it to me. The story is impulsive snag by an entomologist strolling through the Bornean wilds who saw it and thought eh, my wife likes weird flowers. Tucked bare-root into a suitcase. Long before regulations. Kept going by likeminded (and lucky; I’m aware of my own luck and the responsibility weighs) growers. Its first bloom for me was 3 flowers and the grower told me it’s had 7 buds, with two failing to open. Can you imagine that spike? I’ll repot carefully after blooming and continue to do my best to steward it for others. It’s a ways off, of course, but I’d sure love to see its cultivation centennial!
 
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Congrats, the plant looks like it’s recovering well! Great growing!
Really appreciate it. Have had a long 18 months of very few successes. I love sharing in others’ pride too, even though I’m a jerky species snob. But there’s a particular kind of joy that only orchid folks know, only orchid folks can fully appreciate and validate. Thank you so much. All of you.
 
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