Paph Chiu Hua Dancer - Should I or shouldn't I

[Daethen]

I have come across a Paph. Chiu Hua Dancer orchid. I have seen pictures of the blooms on this one several times and I am in love with it. It is way more than I have ever thought to spend on an individual orchid. Does anyone have experience with these, are they difficult, are there any hidden dangers, and generally, should I indulge? Would love any and all feedback and advice. Thanks

[Kmac]

Oooh, I just looked that one up--it is gorgeous. The price I saw was definitely out of my price range for now...at least until I am sure that I can consistently make one thrive. But, I do love it. If you are good with paphs, and have the money, why not-- it is a beauty!

Kathi

[Daethen]

I have only been into orchids for about a year and just got my first paph. this week. May I ask what you saw for a price range? I have heard that paphs do well in cooler areas and I am in Northern US. It will of course grow inside the house. It is a beauty though.

[hcubed]

Given that you have only had a paph for a week, I would wait. Get some practice in before spending the big bucks. They are generally very slow growers so if you make a mistake they can take a long time to come back from it. Some of them don't like being moved very much either - I had a couple pout for a couple of months after I moved house.

That's just my 2 cents though...

[catttan]

I have only been into orchids for about a year and just got my first paph. this week. May I ask what you saw for a price range? I have heard that paphs do well in cooler areas and I am in Northern US. It will of course grow inside the house. It is a beauty though.

Not all paphs are cool growing - indeed a great number of them are warm growing. The belief that they are cool growing had its origin in Victorian England when paphiopedilums were lumped together with the cool cypripediums which they resemble; and the early paph hybrids were mostly cool types suited to the unheated greenhouses of the period.But there were a few great crosses of the warmer types too, then, grown in the stove-houses of the time.

Paph Chiu Hua Dancer is a great cross ( very high on my wish-list, and the price is not much more than what I paid for one of its parents). By the way Paph Chiu Hua Dancer = Paph gigantifolium x sanderianum , both of which are warm growing orchids. In case you wonder where it got its looks; it's from sanderianum , the Queen of paphs.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Get some experience with orchids that are similar first and then make the plunge. JMHO.

Cheers,
BD

[Daethen]

Loving all the advice. I will try and wait for now, although I am not the patient kind. It is my ultimate wish at this point in time. Please keep the advice coming on the raising of paphs. To begin with I thought they were just weird looking, but they are really starting to "grow" on me.

[orchidlady]

I would agree with what others have said and get some more experience with less expensive plants before getting an expensive one. I would recommend trying another multifloral hybrid that is less expensive and see how it goes. As mentioned, the multifloral Paphs tend to be slower growing and they also need more light than the typical Paph. Another consideration is that the plants tend to be quite large, so make sure you have the space .

Susan

[Daethen]

By the way, I realized that I said I wasn't very patient. I am VERY patient when it comes to waiting for the plants to grow and produce flowers or I wouldn't have bought so many babies. I am not very patient when it comes to owning the plant in the first place. I swear I could wait for years for the blooms, but I want it on my shelf while I wait. Thought I should clarify that.

[Daethen]

Ok, I am still really on the fence with this one. I told you I wasn't patient about aquiring things. I have found 2 for sale. One is a 2 fan supposed BS for around $80.00. The other is a single fan slightly smaller but still listed as BS for around $45.00. Any thoughts as to which would be the better buy or should I really try not to spend money on this right now. I REALLY want one of these!