First Big Paph and some Physan 20

[tom499]

Went to the local show today in search of a nice multifloral Paph, and I was not disappointed.

I highly recommend Peter White for orchids, a very nice chap with very healthy plants.

I spent sometime searching till I found something I thought had to be good.

Paphiopedilum gigantifolium X (sanderianum x philippinense)

I have had trouble finding photos of the cross, any help there would be awesome.

I also picked up some of the legendary Physan 20, which seems to have cult status over here

[jay]

Very good looking plant! I can't wait to see that cross bloom. It will be interesting.

[Sharyn]

Nice looking paph Tom. Are you still sneaking them in the house through the back door?

[JLu]

Tom, sounds like a very interesting cross. Paph gigantifolium currently has no registered offspring so the chances of finding a picture are pretty limited. In fact, I can not find a pic of gigantifolium itself. It appears it was described by Braem in 1997 so it's pretty new to the hobby. Due to the strict enforcement of CITES in the US, my guess is that you are lucky to be in the UK and it would not be available in the US...at least not legally available. I think you have something interesting.

I hope it turns out to be a good one.

[jay]

Paph gigantifolium photos.

Click the links for two additional photos.

Here are some more photos.

Interesting flower. Will make a very interesting cross.

[tom499]

Shows are harder Sharyn, as they know I will come back with something

But as long as I keep smuggling in the post orders they think I'm only buying occasionally at shows, which they dont mind so much

Should be an interesting cross then, The P. gigantifoliums short twisted petals with the Paph. Michael Koopowitz long petals.

Paph. Michael Koopowitz
Orchid Web: Paph. Michael Koopowitz

The plant itself may get rather big, P. gigantifolium is meant to have the largest foliage in the genus, and P. sanderianum and P. Philippinense are hardly dwarfs

[jerrymeola]

I hope you are wrong in claiming Physan 20 is getting cult status. I have several times mentioned that I do not think it does anything.

It is a contact algaecide that was intended for washing greenhouse walls but failed to adequately kill the algae.

I have seen it recommended for fungus rot but can assure you it does not work to my satisfaction. Since it is a contact spray it is no better than rubbing alcohol. Possibly you are confusing it with Python 27 which is a systemic fungicide.

Now for your choice in orchids you did quite well.

[tom499]

That is a shame to hear, Its boasts highly of its use for algae, fungus, bacteria and even virus killing (which definitely can't be right).

I have never heard of python 27, I've never seen it here. I was hoping physan 20 would be the answer, I need a reliable fungicide/bactericide etc to protect my increasingly valuable collection.

[patticake]

Tom, That plant looks really great! I LOVE the sounds of the cross! I can't wait to see what the blooms look like. I love hybrids for that reason...
I've only heard good about Physan 20- Until today... May be some other folks have imput, since I've never used it.
Great plant! congratulations.

[brookn]

Hey Tom nice looking plant. I think that was a typo from Jerry, the stuff he is referring to is Phyton 27.

[tizzycat]

Great plant Tom, (in every sense of the word) will be really interesting to watch this one.