Paph Valerie Tonkin x Katai's Golden Emerald

[CharlesD]

For those inclined toward complex paphs the Hilo Orchid Farm plants that have been for sale this winter are of exceptional quality. Anything with Katai's Golden Emerald and decent looking bud is worth buying. Somehow this plant was $35 purchased in bud. 13.5 cm natural spread, 6.5 cm petal width, 12 cm dorsal width.

 

[Tom-DE]

A pretty good complex Paph. although it is just slightly on the cuppy side...I like the dorsal and I think the color will change to more yellow/golden as the flower develops. Please show us another photo when that happens.

 

[CharlesD]

It's actually pretty flat. I think the dorsal being so big maybe prevents it from opening further but it is only now just fully open.

 

[Tom-DE]

Like I said, your flower is very nice for complex...
Complex Paphs seldom have really flat flowers...90% of the flowers are kinda cuppy and the big round dorsal is what I would focus on complex Paphs.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

So Charles, where did you purchase it from? Hilo Orchids is only a wholesale supplier. I personally think it is very nice.

 

[CharlesD]

So Charles, where did you purchase it from? Hilo Orchids is only a wholesale supplier. I personally think it is very nice.

Thanks! I mean I could fault the color but I’m just amazed by the size and form. I got it from Waldor orchids which is close enough to me to make a few trips as they get in a lot of HOF plants and I can cherry pick. Even though they are not known for paphs they have weekly standing orders with Lehua as well so sometimes they have quite nice budded stuff. I’m not able to sell off extras if I got a box myself. So yes the tricky part is getting a source for them.

 

[Tom-DE]

Thanks! I mean I could fault the color but I’m just amazed by the size and form.

The overall look of this flower shows significant influence from Val. Tonkin, (less from Katai's G.E. IMO)... Like Paph. V.T. which is a great complex, I bet the color of this flower will get richer as it ages.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Charles, years ago I did a few wholesale orders from Hilo however I don’t believe they are currently taking on new customers.They used to offer a few choice plants on eBay at this time of year but now don’t or if they do they are few and far between.

 

[CharlesD]

Charles, years ago I did a few wholesale orders from Hilo however I don’t believe they are currently taking on new customers.They used to offer a few choice plants on eBay at this time of year but now don’t or if they do they are few and far between.

I will be going to the Paph symposium in Hilo in January and it sounds like we will be able to visit HOF and potentially buy some selects. You may want to reach out to Tim Culbertson if you are interested. It sounds like he will be grading some of their paphs prior to the symposium