Help me choose

[The Orchid Boy]

I want to give a paph as a gift to a relative but I want one that blooms reliably every year and one with nice mottled leaves. She loved my Paph. delenatii, especially how its leaves were mottled and purple underneath. I was thinking either a delenatii or a delenatii hybrid. I want to chose a colorful one with mottled leaves like a delenatii. Any suggestions? I don't reaaly want a micranthum hybrid because I know micranthums can be a little slow and touchy.

 

[Hugorchids]

how about a Ho Chi Minh?

 

[The Orchid Boy]

Is Paph. Ho Chi Minh more vigorous than P. delenatii and P. vietnamense?

 

[eggshells]

Paph delenatii as species is relatively easy and vigorous. I have yet to encounter a crappy one (growth wise). In fact I seem to be having problems with maudiae than delenatii. I have so many clones of this species and every variety seems to be easy and fast growers. Even the albino form.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

I personally wouldn't go with Ho Chi Minh as it only blooms for about a week. Go with the delenatii.

 

[Diogo]

ohhh... absolutely love Ho Chi Minh but I would go for delanatii. a good reliable hybrid is Delophyllum, leaves are mottled and a good grower, 2 or 3 flowers simultaneously.

 

[The Orchid Boy]

I love my delenatii! What is vietnamense like?

 

[NYEric]

Is Paph. Ho Chi Minh more vigorous than P. delenatii and P. vietnamense?

Paph. Ho Chi Minh is delenatii x vietnamense!

There are many paphs with interesting foliage that bloom more reliably than delenatii, Paph Nimit, Paph Gina Short, Paph Magic Lantern...

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

While delanatii is among the easiest paphs to bloom, I think that is because it is mostly grown by more experienced growers, in that they have grown at least some paphs before. I think for a first paph, a Maudiae is best. It's tolerant, likely to survive, does well with lower light than delanatii, and the flowers last longer. (2-3 months as opposed to delanatii's 3-4 weeks.)

 

[The Orchid Boy]

While delanatii is among the easiest paphs to bloom, I think that is because it is mostly grown by more experienced growers, in that they have grown at least some paphs before. I think for a first paph, a Maudiae is best. It's tolerant, likely to survive, does well with lower light than delanatii, and the flowers last longer. (2-3 months as opposed to delanatii's 3-4 weeks.)

Yeah, I know maudiaes are probably best for beginners but my first paph and fourth orchid was a paph delenatii. And my relative wasn't as intrigued about the green, maroon, ect. maudiaes and the sigmatopetalum subgenus. She liked the paphs that bloomed more "cheery" colors as she called them. She liked the white, yellow, purple, and pink ones. I would love to get her started into the orchid hobby. She listened to me for almost three hours as I talked about orchids and paphs where most people will hardly listen to me for five minutes. And she lives within walking distance of a nice nursery that has nice orchids.

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

In that case, take her there! Let her see what is in bloom, and let her decide. I'm sure she won't walk away with just one....

 

[The Orchid Boy]

Hey, that's a good idea! It's so simple, why didn't I think of that?

 

[The Orchid Boy]

How's armeniacum for a beginner? And what about the two other forms of delenatii? Same as regular delenatii? I just want to have a few paphs in mind...

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

Defnitely not armeniacum! it will only frustrate her. I've only bloomed one once, myself. I have only limited experience with delanatii varieties, but so far it seems that album is just as easy as the regular form, but the vinicolor form is touchy. It grows well, then dies suddenly (for me). I'm trying another one now. If you want to get her delanatii, go for it...she would probably prefer the normal form anyway.

 

[goldenrose]

I don't have trouble growing delenatii, they don't bloom for me.
I have trouble growing armeniacum, therefore they do not bloom for me.
With that being said one of my most consistent bloomers with flowers that last a very long time is Armeni White (armen. x dele.)!
I've tried a couple of Magic Lanterns, they perished but is the 3rd time a charm? Got one from Ernie when he moved(2010), it was one big strong growth for $5, it has bloomed and is now 3 growths, just repotted & the roots are darn good!
I have a new cross - Monsoon Nova Luna (Bellatrix x armeniacum), got a flask not even 3 years ago, they have been the best/easiest growers, didn't lose one & have several in bud for the first time. I had 2 in bud this spring but with the summer's heat both blasted. I'm told the flower is soft yellow, looking forward to that!
So my advice is go with the hybrids!

 

[NYEric]

I have a new cross - Monsoon Nova Luna (Bellatrix x armeniacum), got a flask not even 3 years ago,

Hello my friend, Are you interested in some trades?

 

[The Orchid Boy]

What about P. Deperle and P. Gina Short. I get them a little mixed up. Is one easier and is one more pink?

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

How about Dellaina or Delophyllum?

 

[The Orchid Boy]

Since Deperle, Gina Short, Dellaina, and Dellophylum have a cochlopetalum type paph as a parent, they all bloom sequentially, correct? How long do they bloom sequentially for? I've heard 3 to 9 months.

 

[NYEric]

the Multi-hybrids, Dellaina, Dellophylum are bIG plants. get the Deperle or the Gina Short.