Paphiopedilum philippinense

[delphiguy]

I've had a few of these before and I have lost all of them due to neglect and inexperienced. So
when I saw one around mid of last year I decided to give it another try, however, the seller is
selling it as laevigatum, and upon doing some research I found out that laevigatum is a
synonym for philippinense. Anyways I was waiting for it to open fully before posting a photo
of it, but I just cant contain my excitement, and I've been waiting for it to open for a month
already, so Im posting before the flower fully opens, and my apologies for the bad photo my
hands were shaking when I took the photo, I promise I'll do better next time when the flower
fully opens.

[jrfehon]

Congrats Randy! I can't wait to see photos of it when it's completely open! What was the secret this time around to getting it to bloom? I bought a Philippinense a while ago that's almost blooming size.

[delphiguy]

Thanks Jason... better grow space is one... also its underpotted, all the ones i've lost i've potted enough to accomodate the plant and used a cocochips
media and the roots rotted, I was able to save a small growth from the first batch and its now thriving in a straight leca medium. Also, our summer
this year is nothing compared to last years where I've lost tons of plants.

[PhilsDC]

Paphiopedilum philippinense is said to be variable.

Some taxonomists treated Paphiopedilum roebbelenii as part of Paphiopedilum philippinense as variety.

According to genetic studies particularly in chromosome count, Paphiopedilum philippinense, Paphiopedilum laevigatum and Paphiopedilum roebbelenii has 52 chromosomes. Therefore, concluded that they are in the same species. They also have the same staminodes. As they are very variable in different population and location.

These were the varieties for Paphiopedilum philippinense as the taxonomists stated:

Paphiopedilum philippinense (common form)
Paphiopedilum philippinense forma alboflavum
Paphiopedilum philippinense var. compactum "Palawan"
Paphiopedilum philippinense var. laevigatum
Paphiopedilum philippinense var. roebbelenii

[delphiguy]

Thanks Derek, so are you suggesting mine is Paphiopedilum philippinense var. laevigatum ?

[catttan]

Thanks Randy for posting the pictures. I can understand your excitement. I waited for all the flowers on mine to open and the birds pecked off the two unopened buds. Please post pictures when they are fully opened. Mine bore only 3 flowers but yours seem to have 4 or more. Paph philippinense is very variable but all are beautiful and I consider the var roebbelenii to be the prettiest(just my opinion). The one I have is from Sabah.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Be still my heart - this is a beautiful slipper orchid!! It is funny, every time I see this orchid, I cannot help but think of Tim (bench72). He was obsessed with these.

Cheers,
BD

[delphiguy]

Thanks Randy for posting the pictures. I can understand your excitement. I waited for all the flowers on mine to open and the birds pecked off the two unopened buds. Please post pictures when they are fully opened. Mine bore only 3 flowers but yours seem to have 4 or more. Paph philippinense is very variable but all are beautiful and I consider the var roebbelenii to be the prettiest(just my opinion). The one I have is from Sabah.

Thanks Yew and so sorry the birds got to the buds first. It has finally opened, I will to take a photo tomorrow.

Thanks BD.

[bench72]

Randy, I'm glad u weren't able to contain yourself and shared this anyway! Thanks! It's my favourite Paph / orchid! so I am very to happy to see another flower.

[delphiguy]

Finally the first one has fully opened, wife is very happy with the flowers... and now another one
is starting to open as well, kinda looks like an alien emerging from something. Tried to take a
closeup of the thingy that looks like a brain.