Friday Orchid Blogging

Paphiopedilum Fraser's Fire [prov.] (which is a cross between Kimberley Szabo 'Papa Aroha' B/CSA and Anna Szabo 'Coro')

This little baby I bought early this summer and it's been growing quite well - you can tell partly by the leaves, nice perky leaves mean a nice perky plant. As you can see, it's in the midst of spiking (i.e., blooming) but the bud hasn't opened yet. I was a bit worried that the bud seems to be white - the plant should be super red - but I'm told by wiser orchid growers than me that the red pigment is the last thing to develop in a new bud, so it could be white up until it opens. Or it's not what it's supposed to be. We'll fine out.

Anyway, here is what a sibling of this flower looks like from the greenhouse where I bought mine (though no two sibs are ever alike):



And here are the two parents:



Enjoy.