Paph Songbird cv Rosefinch

[Dorsetman]

Complex paphs ( maybe 14 generations of breeding ? ) are sooooooh out of fashion. My collection of them dates back to when they were in fashion, and I was aked US$2000 for a division of say Orchilla 'Paeony' ( but never did buy at that price, my name is what you see in my profile, not Gates or Rothschild, or whatever...)
But I like them, and I reckon that if I live a few more years they will be back in fashion again, and my collection of classic varieties will be worth a fortune. This is not of course a classic variety ; just a nice ( IMHO) "classic English shape" complex paph. "English shape" means cupped - which is perfectly natural for a paph.
The AOS likes flat flowers , and would never (?) award a cupped shape one. The RHS is (was) broader minded - although nowadays they don't award complex paphs at all - narrow minded lot that they are. I periodically criticise them ( the RHS Orchid Comittee)e.g. sending e-mails to the Chairman asking why they gave an Award of Merit to that bog-standard xyz, when I could have shown them half a dozen of that species just as good or better which I didn't even think of puttin up for award when they were so normal...
A little bit of argument and controversy adds spice to life I think.

[pavel]

That is one of the problems with things that are judged -- tastes change ... which just goes to show how subjective judging is.

If it's any consolation, Geoffrey, I tend to prefer the "bulldog" paphs (as we commonly call ones like yours over hear) to the types found so commonly now.

[madphrag]

I absolutely agree, Geoff. Complex hybrids such as yours are what began my fascination with orchids and I certainly remember it being not uncommon to pay $1000+ for some 35 years ago. Needless to say, I never had any in my collection back then but I dreamed that one day I would.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

What a beautiful slipper, Geoff! I know some orchids can get really expensive. My days spending on them like that died with our orchid business. LOL. Stunning complex paph!

Cheers,
BD

[Kmac]

Wow, that is lovely! Thanks for sharing.

[Raver]

i love the glossy look on the flower.