Paphiopedilum Quasar

[mauraec]

This young whippersnapper is Paph. Quasar, a cross of Paph. rothschildianum and Paph. Macabre. Aside from the curiosity factor, I assume the breeders were going for rothschildianum's multi-blooms, strong, tall stem and longer petals to enhance Macabre's more Maudiae-ish traits. Unfortunately, since Paph. Macabre is half sukhakulii, the small dorsal has prevailed, while its wider more horizontal petals seem to have been sublimated. I would have expected better results from this cross, but you never know - this is the first one I've seen flower, but OWiz shows a nearly identical one.

For some reason, the cross is prone to color-breaks on the pouch. Mine doesn't have it as obviously as others, but on one side of the pouch, up near the very top, there is a 2 cm circle of light green, which is not, unfortunately, repeated on the other side, so therein lies a pretty bad defect.

I'm trying not to judge for size because of its immaturity, but it's about 13 cm. natural spread, and the only AOS award it's garnered since its introduction in 1994 was an HCC of 77, with a natural spread of 16.5 cm, so I'm not that optimistic that it's going to steadily grow big and strong. Oh, and the other thing is, only 2 flowers on this one, as well as on the others I've seen described/photographed, so the multifloral influence pretty much failed.

Still, it's a really interesting plant - very vigorous foliage, and 3 or 4 new growths poking up already. I probably shouldn't be so hard on it - it had some mighty big parental shoes to step into.

[TwoStems]

Lovely orchid, and awesome name!

[catttan]

Very pretty, Maura. I agree the Maudiae and the sukhakulii traits dominate.

[mauraec]

Very pretty, Maura. I agree the Maudiae and the sukhakulii traits dominate.

And not in a good way, unfortunately. I know nothing about genetic engineering, but you would think that the sheer strength of a full rothschild species parent would prevail - Paph Macabre is anly half species - the other half is the many generation hybrid Voodoo Magic. I don't know - maybe Amey has the answer to all this

[Halloamey]

Maura that is a very good example of genetics going wrong, genes doing not what is expected of them LOL. Nonetheless if you leave the expectations apart, a beautiful flower with great promise for future blooms.

[panam]

Sometimes I think that if my mother's and my father's BEST traits were listed and I had to live up to and exceed all of them, ... well that's a lot of stress. I'm glad we're not judged as we judge our orchids.

It still looks like a great plant to me, Maura. Congratulations on the good growing!

[mauraec]

Thanks, folks - and I agree with all of you - it is a pretty flower, and may well grow into a stunner. Right now it is kind of "cute".

Thanks for your input, Amey - I was hoping that my observations had been basically correct. Pretty as this is, I doubt it lived up to the breeders' hopes - as anything crossed with a rothschildianum is bound to inspire.

Thanks you, Patty - I, fortunately, seem to have gotten few of either of my parents' traits - all the paradoxical characteristics I have are purely unto their own.

[cakedaddy]

Its a very nice looking paph Maura. I'd be happy to have it!
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[Brutal_Dreamer]

Very nice slipper orchid, Maura. I suspect the Paph rothschildianum was added to the cross for the beautiful, bold stripes in addition to the other factors you mention. It is really a lovely cross.

cheers,
BD

[Paph]

That is lovely bloom Maura!