Paphiopedilum roebellinii

[Paphraguy]

This is another favorite species of mine.

Very similar to Paph philippinense but has a smaller more compact growth habit. Flowers are smaller but with longer and more twisted petals. Paph philippinense has larger blooms with less twisted petals and different shaped staminode.

[Gilda]

Pete,
Your photos are soooo beautiful. They have a 3-D look to them and it makes them look touchable!!! Your growing them is beautiful,too !!!

[Paphraguy]

Gilda, thanks for the very kind comments, I really appreciate it!

[LJA]

I am very envious of your pictures, Pete.

Talk about coveting--how about coveting talent?

[Paphraguy]

lja, thanks for the kind words.

[Heather]

Nice, thank you for posting!

[ncclimber]

peter, what cultivar is your roebellinii? I have a 'pam' AM/AOS x 'grace' AM/AOS That blooms beautifully and looks almost identical to yours. just curious. By the way Heather, this is one paph that is a must have in my opinion. Thanks for posting Pete.

[Paphraguy]

Thanks, Heather and nc!

Heather, listen to nc, he's absolutely right, it is a spectacular species. Get one. It is more compact than a philippinense but it will get big once it's established with multiple growths. On the other hand, my philippinense is HUGE compared to my roebellinii and my philippinense is slower growing.

Nc, it looks identical to yours because mine is Grace AM/AOS x Candor Red Streamers HCC/AOS. This cultivar is also faster growing than a different one I have.

[Jmoney]

Nice plant, Peter. I think the distinction between phil and roebel has, in some cases, been blurred through interbreeding since the species are so similar. I bought a phil a couple years ago that was a division of an old jungle-collected plant...I am not sure if it is roebel, since the plant itself was very compact--14" LS tops with wide leaves. I have heard about different staminodes but have never seen a close-up for comparison!

[Paphraguy]

Thanks, Jason! I believe there must be a lot of interbreeding done of these two species over the years.

From what I can see from your pic, your plant maybe a roebellinii. The leaf is very distinctive. Paph roebellinii leaves are narrower than those of philippinense and more "succulent" in appearance. Paph philippinense has wider and stiffer leaves, mine are about 2-2.5" wide and the growth habit is a lot bigger than the roebellinii.

Is that the first flowering of that plant? Nice pic, BTW.