micranthum

[Leo Schordje]

I have not had anything interesting to post in a while.
This right now reigns as one of my better Paph micranthum. What I really like is that the dorsal is a little wider than most. The pink in the petals and other markings are clearly defined. The pink is of medium intensity, not as thin or as washed out as some. The pouch is mostly white with pink only on the upper surface of the pouch around the opening. I bought this in Feb 2000 as a single growth plant and it has moved along to 7 growths now. It took 9 years to get the first bloom, but now this is the second blooming for 2009, it bloomed earlier in July. Two flowers roughly 5 months apart after a 9 year wait. Go figure? I think I'll keep it. :evil:

Its petals and dorsal are nice and flat and in the same plane

Dimensions 7.6 cm horizontal x 9.0 cm vertical.

 

[tenman]

As shown in the second pic, the form is superb.

 

[JeanLux]

great plant and beautiful flower Leo!!!! I agree for the excellent color pattern!!! Jean

 

[Leo Schordje]

What is really interesting is that when I bought this micranthum I bought a batch of them, I was told by the vendor that they were all from the same place, Kwong See. The foliage and the price did not seem right for Kwong See, so I treated this info as a sales pitch. Here are two more micranthums from that same batch from that supplier who claimed were all from the same place. So all three clones here are 'sisters'.

This last one is the only one of the six that might be called Kwong See.

 

[Ross]

Stunning! micranthum is always a show stopper, especially nice ones. Thanks, Leo

 

[luvsorchids]

:drool::clap::drool: I love them all :smitten:.

Susan

 

[NYEric]

The bottom one is terrrible! I'll send you my address!

 

[Paul]

those are very nice ones, especially the last one !!

 

[SlipperKing]

So Leo what type of micranthum comes from Kwong See? the white pouch type? BTW, great looking mic. Too bad we can get them to bloom every year. Of course, they wouldn't be so special if they did!
Interesting growth history, has it ever tried to come out of the drain holes in that 2" pot?

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

What a beauty...the last one is gorgeous too, especially the petals. I'm torn between this species and hangianum - which is more beautiful? I'm leaning towards micranthum.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Very nice plants. Over the last couple of years I've bought a few of them. Hope to bloom out one as nice as your someday.

 

[etex]

Gorgeous blooms!! The color contrast with the pouch is awesome and the form is spot on !! Very stunning orchids! Great growing!

 

[biothanasis]

Fantstic all three clones... How do you gorw them??? what mix are they potted in? TY

 

[Leo Schordje]

So Leo what type of micranthum comes from Kwong See? the white pouch type? BTW, great looking mic. Too bad we can't get them to bloom every year. Of course, they wouldn't be so special if they did!
Interesting growth history, has it ever tried to come out of the drain holes in that 2" pot?

Every now and then one of my micranthum will send a runner out a drain hole, not as often as armeniacum. By the way this is one of my larger micranthums, it is actually in a 4 inch x 4 inch tall pot. The two older pictures are of plants in 2 1/2 inch x 4 inch tall pots.

For me, in my conditions, micranthum is one of the slow Paphs. Back iin the late 1980's I decided I really like micranthum, so over the years when I saw a good deal I would pick a few up. This way I would be able to bloom one or two every year. I now have several dozen different clones, most over 10 years old, and I get to see maybe 4 or so per year bloom. Starting from single growth plants, I would say micranthum needs a minimum of 5 years to mature and bloom a growth, with 10 years not being uncommon. Micranthum survives for me, I have lost very few over the years, compared to other species, so while my conditions are not ideal, they must be good enough. There are people like Sam Tsui who can get them to bloom quicker. I am just happy they don't die for me.

 

[Leo Schordje]

Fantstic all three clones... How do you gorw them??? what mix are they potted in? TY

Under 40 watt fluorescent shop lights, 16 hour day length year round, in a simple fir bark mix with charcol and some crushed oyster shell. My temps in summer are 65 -75 F at night and 70 to 88 F during the day. In winter my basements runs 55 to 65 F at night and 63 to 70 F during the day. The temperature just happen to be what my basement runs, with no effort to control the temperature. I water with municiple tap water with 1/4 to1/2 teaspoon per gallon MSU fertilizer added to it every watering. Our city water source runs around 200 ppm total dissoved solids, so I feel it is good enough, I have a very low tech set up.

 

[jblanford]

WOW!!! Those look great Leo, and thanks for the info on growing them... Jim.

 

[parvi_17]

They are all gorgeous! Thanks for sharing these pics. My fav is the last one, with the lighter pouch.

 

[John M]

The first and last are beautiful! The pouch on the first one is awesome!

 

[GuRu]

Leo, all of your shown micranthum flowers are lovely but I like the last one most. Furthermore this seems to be close to the form which represents that type of micranthum which has been found in the region of 'Guangxi' (sorry to correct you). Even the foliage of this 'Guangxi' type differs from the foliage of the common micranthum. It is more dark green almost black-green and less clearly motteled.

Best regardas from Germany, rudolf

 

[SlipperFan]

Nice, Leo. I think I need to reconsider whether or not I like micranthums enough to try one. I like it's hybrids alot!