Paph Roth opinions.

[uncasteeb]

The seedling i have is Paph Roth(select) which i have learned could be of indeterminate quality.

I,ve found a seedling below.
This is about $36(remember we do pay more for most 'chids in the UK)
Good/bad ?
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum

(Paph. rothschildianum 'Rex' x 'Borneo' (FCC/AOS) x Paph. rothschildianum ' 'Mont Millais' AM/RHS)

[Heather]

Oh, those darn roths... - like chips - can't have just one!
Certainly it looks as tho it has better parentage, but I just don't know w/ the Borneo thrown in there - hopefully someone else will clue us in! Anyone?

[Jmoney]

I'm not sure exactly what that cross is. There are three cultivars in there, so it must either be 'Rex' x a seedling from a 'Borneo' x 'MM' cross, or a seedling from a 'Rex' x 'Borneo' cross x 'MM'. I suspect the latter, because I've seen Rex x Borneo offered before. MM is an excellent dark clone from the UK, which has received FCC from both the RHS and AOS. 'Rex' is an absolutely massive but pale clone with an FCC/AOS. 'Borneo' is an older roths that has an FCC to its credit, but which cannot compete with the best roths of today.

'Rex' x 'MM' is THE cross to get, if you had the opportunity to get one for a reasonable cost. The overall quality of the progeny has blown away hobbyists and judges alike, and set the bar considerably higher for the species. Size from Rex, color from MM. It is very deserving of its AQ/AOS. If the cross you're contemplating is (Rex x Borneo) x MM, it all depends on the quality of the former parent. A real good one may have been used, or a so-so one. If you can find the originator of the cross, your opinion of him may help your judgement. That said, it really takes some work to get a "bad" roths.

[LJA]

it really takes some work to get a "bad" roths.

I agree wholeheartedly.....

[Jmoney]

That said, there are "bad" roths out there, although I suspect that has as much to do with a dishonest seller as it does with poor quality parents. A certain grower from MA who will remain unnamed had Rex x MM in bloom that were the ugliest I had ever seen...these were barely average roths. In fact, knowing the quality of this cross, I suspect that they weren't Rex x MM at all...

[LJA]

If you can get one for a decent price like that and haven't grown one before, I think it would be worth getting, just to "get some practice" growing and blooming one before you go out and spend the megabucks on something supposedly stellar. Prices on them have really come down quite a bit in the last few years (I paid 500 or 600 for a roth 'Emma' seedling 7 years ago and that wasn't awarded. It's since bloomed several times and I didvided it to try to recoup *some* of that original cost, but I'll never recoup all of it. The flowers are still quite nice even though, last I checked, the clone doesn't have a single award to its name.)

Anyway, if you trust the vendor, I'd say go for it.

[uncasteeb]

Thanxs for the feedback guys.

I,ll probably get the Roth but i,m trying to get some feedback on the retailer before ordering.
They have a large selection of Paphs but i had a couple of poor plants from them earlier in the year(not Paphs).

[Slipperhead]

Why don't you wait 10 years, see what it looks like, THEN make the decision!!!

I'm sure you'll be happy.

BTW, I'm getting a kick out of the "rare", "blooming size" roths being repeatedly peddled on that popular auction site!!!

Good growing!

[Heather]

Yes, well anything "rare" listed there is clearly suspect!