A couple of 'roth hybrids... Transvaal and Hayward Booth

[Dorsetman]

This particular Transvaal is cv Marshwick - I have some others, including two different awarded forms , although the best is another unawarded form. Since they don't propagate very well, you will likely find that every Transvaal ( or any other roth hybrid) you meet- and you won't do that very often anyway (!) is yet another different clone , even if they all look fairly similar. Something that orchid growers who are not especially paph minded find difficult to get their heads around., Can be a metre high with four flowers - more is very exceptional. probably needs a multi-growth = strong, oldish division, well-established, to get even that. My plants here are flowering for the first time after recovering from being badly grown ( didn't like new conditions when I moved house) so 3 flowers , and I am glad to see them. They will do better next time I think.
Transvaal is roth' x chamberlainianum , but the latter is so difficult - i think Cribb now calls it P.victoria regina ssp. chamberlainianum . His key to separating the different ones - moquettianum and the rest looks good on paper, but just doesn't work in my collection when I have the different plants in flower side, by side. Flower size is about 7 inch natural spread.
Hayward Booth is P.haynaldiamnum x roth' ; my memory says that it has been more colourful than this in the past - but maybe that was on a different plant. Flower size here is a bit bigger - the petals are 7 inches long.

[Dorsetman]

I just had an answer from Orchidwiz about how to fuind the info' I wanted ; despite the South African name ( Transvaal) the hybrid was registered by a guy in UK - a Mr Appleton - in 1901. Over a hundred years old, and still (IMHO) a worthwhile hybrid.

[catttan]

Like them both esp Transvaal. Could that Mr Appleton be the same gentleman after whom Paph appletonianum is named?

[panam]

Wow! Not only to see such lovely flowers, but to sit at their feet and watch a conversation between Geoff and Yew? This has been a good day. Thank you, gentlemen, for all you do for us.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I just had an answer from Orchidwiz about how to fuind the info' I wanted ; despite the South African name ( Transvaal) the hybrid was registered by a guy in UK - a Mr Appleton - in 1901. Over a hundred years old, and still (IMHO) a worthwhile hybrid.

I agree. Lovely slippers Geoff!

Cheers,
BD

[orchidsal]

I know Geoff that wealthy/well-to-do Victorian's and Edwardian's were often very interested in and raised many exotic plants including orchids from through out the British Empire. I was just wondering how many of these hybrids like your Paphiopedilium are still grown. This in a sense is a piece of living history. AL

[catttan]

I know Geoff that wealthy/well-to-do Victorian's and Edwardian's were often very interested in and raised many exotic plants including orchids from through out the British Empire. I was just wondering how many of these hybrids like your Paphiopedilium are still grown. This in a sense is a piece of living history. AL

I think that that is a renewed interest in primary hybrids and these Victorian era hybrids are coming into their own today.

BTW since you mentioned the British Empire, it is not surprising then that Appleton named the hybrid Paph Transvaal as there was this great feeling of patriotism among the British during this period of the Boer War 1899 - 1902 fought between the Boers, descendants of Dutch immigrants and the British over the annexation of the Boer States of Transvaal and the Orange Free State. Transvaal was therefore a jewel or more accurately gold in the British crown. This was a very interesting war as it gave rise to such terms as the 'scorched earth' policy of the British, the word 'commando', the Boer force of mobile hit and melt-away combatants, the making of Winston Churchill, Baden Powell and the Scout Movement.

[Daethen]

I love the information that is available on this site. And Patty, you hit the nail on the head. BTW, that is one beautiful slipper, Geoff.

[Dorsetman]

Like them both esp Transvaal. Could that Mr Appleton be the same gentleman after whom Paph appletonianum is named?

I think that must be right - he registered quite a few other hybrids too - P. rolfei for example. A whole page of his stuff in Orchidwiz. And considering this was years before Knudsen, when seed-sowing meant sprinkling the seeds round the mother plant , that is quite remarkable.

[Halloamey]

Wow firstly beautiful rare flowers and then an information intensive thread, simply awesome !