Anticipation. A Flower on my paph.

[Paphlova]

The Good

This thread is continued from here. It regards the hitherto unknown identity of a Paphiopedilum I recently acquired, origins completely unknown. It was and still is, a fun exercise in guessing, ok: determining step-by-step what species/hybrid it is. Here is what I've found out so far, with a LOT of help from the forum members.
The way things are looking now, thanks to forum-member bench72 , it's a Paph. Addicted Philip (P. philippinense x P. adductum var. anitum)
Though similar in Gothic appeal as is the main species adductum, the anitum is special in some ways; firstly it's STUNNING! Google for it on images, and you'll see. The plant were talking about here is 'but' a hybrid, and it's not nearly as dark, big or majestic as its parent. It still rocks though.
AFAIK, it's pretty rare in the wild. It's also named since 1989, which would make it and it's hybrids illegal to trade or possess in all counties that signed the CITES-treaty.
CITES is an agreement on the conservation of species (other than man, that is) focusing on protection through legislation. Now, some countries take a more pragmatic approach concerning hybrids, reasoning that hybrids have little to add in the way of protecting a species, and to a certain extent rightfully so, me believes. I THINK I happen to live in one of those countries.

Bench, I've got to say that you must be right on the money with anitum. Those little windows on the upper part of the dorsal? Since I saw some pics, I now can see what Koopowitz meant. Naturally, not the full glory of this is transferred to its children, but its still there plain to to see.
Strangely, the darkness that resides on the inside of the sepalum does not really show on the outside. Only when one back-lites can one see the blotch that is there on the other side.
Now that two out of four are open, the dramatic effect multiplies. Also, because the sepalum is quite horizontal, it benefits from low standpoints, increasing the 'little shop of horrors'-effect even more. (pic1&2, love the shadow on the ceiling!)
Size does matter, doesn't it? right now, the natural spread is 7cm, or 2,8" the total length, including petals is 15cm, or 6"(pic3). If the dorsal sepal decides to go completely vertical, a maximum of 5cm, or 2" could be added to the lenght. Flower #2 is is maybe 5-10% smaller, but is still growing. Flower #3 is now in day1-stage and #4 is still completely closed and rather diminutive. I've propped-up the stalk with a loose anchor, which I can tighten a mm a day. I hope this will correct the horizontal stance of the stalk a bit. I was late in doing so, and I have no light from above (literally, that is). The stalk is soooo strong. It's really only there for orthopedic reasons, not for support.
I've commented before on how the color does not come out perfectly in my flash-shots. So, the last pic is with natural light. I don't have the set-up for a au-naturel backlight shot to show off the 'windows'. I think I have to find the exact moment the light falls into my apartment in just the right way.

I'm loving this and I love my Addicted Philip. No rehab for me! And the good thing is, my wife has not put scissors to it out of envy! (yet...)

Greetz,
Andries