At the advice of Heather-Paphgirl, I am re-posting this question:

I am looking to add a Paph to my collection, and hope that some of you can recommend a hybrid or species based on your experience. I am looking for something with a striped sail, like a Rothschildianum or St. Swithin. I am not too fussy about how the rest of the flower looks. I'd just prefer a multi-floral, compact, sequetial bloomer, if that's not asking too much.

Thanks in advance,

I'd say the easiest and potentially most compact of the "striped sail" multiflorals would be philippinense, or hybrids based one this species.

Berenice is a popular hybrid that I believe is phillippinse and lowii. But I haven't seen many compact versions of this hybrid.

If you want a small compact multifloral Paph, then I recommend the smallest of the multifloral Paphs species wilhelminiae. It is closely related to the larger roth species but stays small and the flowers even resemble roth flowers somewhat especially the dorsal striped petals. If you want a roth, then the cheapest price I have seen is $35 for a mature plant with awarded parents online. Also, remember that multifloral Paphs are not the fastest growing plants and they take forever to reach maturity and bloom, so if you can afford larger mature plants, then definitely go for it!

I would suggest Paph Gary Romagna.

I actually have an adult one that just finished flowering, and it has another adult growth on it which will bloom next season. If you want it let me know.

Looks like this, but with a heavier stripes than spots.
http://www.orchid.or.jp/orchid/society/paphio/26-saloon/tenzi/155.JPG

Thanks for all your suggestions. Are any of them warm-growing or mottled leaf? Or do multiflorals generally come with solid green leaves?

Multiflorals can be mottled, but you will have to cross them with typically parvi or brachy to get multifloral mottled. And they usually have to be many growths before they flower, for example, micranthum x rothschildianum.

Most paphs can be considered warm growing. They tolerate 70-85' days, and 55-70' nights.

if you want sequential, I would recommend something like prime child, vanguard, transvaal, etc. those are roths x one of the sequential species. if you want more compact, and yet still sequential, you might consider wilhelminiae/philippinense/adductum crossed to one the sequential bloomers. bianka (glaucophyllum x adductum) comes to mind, but many, many others exist.

gary romagna, while spectacular, is neither sequential nor compact.

The "Maudiae" types all have large striped dorsals, and nicely mottled leaves...compact also. But, they are not multifloral. That said, I have found that Maudiae types grown under lights frequently produce 2 buds. The "sublaeve" form of callosum also routinely produces 2 buds...Not that it would help, but I once had a Maudiae bred from a "Jac" progeny callosum (now called "viniferum" by some) that frequntly had 3 buds to a stalk...unfortunately by the time that the 3rd bud would open, the supporting stalk was so thin that the flower would open face down. Take care, Eric

If you want a compact multifloral with a heavily striped dorsal than you couldn't go past Susan Booth (rothschildianum x praestans). One of my favourites. Here is what mine looks like. Mine only has 2 flowers but it should get at least 4 when it gets bigger. Compared to most multiflorals this plant does not get that big while the flower size is still relatively large.

David

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/emydura/SusanBooth2.jpg

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions.
I just returned from the Redland Orchid Festival and WOW talk about sensory overload. Total haul was a pair of Phal. schillerianas, couple of Phal gibbosas, a Phal parishii, and my new Paph.

I wasn't able to find a sequential/philippinense hybrid, but that is something I will keep in mind for my next Paph. purchase.

I ended up with a Praying Isabel (Lady Isabel x gardineri) from Carolina Orchids. It has a leafspan of 26" on a previously bloomed growth. The second growth is in spike with 3 buds (I'd post a pic but I can't figure out how on this forum). Then there's 2 more growths that look like they will mature soon, 1 smaller growth, and 2 more bumps starting out from the bases as well. :Party:
The plant stands about 16" tall from media to top bud.

I would really appreciate any culture tips and advice on this plant.

Thanks,

Hi, Marcus!

Good choice! Posting photos here is very easy. Just go to the Gallery section and follow Heather's instructions on how to post pictures. Do post pics of your slippers, I would love to see them!

Congrats on your new purchase! Do let me know if you have trouble after reading the tutorial, Marcus and we'll try to help you out.
:D

I guess my problem with posting pics is that I don't have a place to host my pics. Do you know of any sites that offer it for free?

I guess my problem with posting pics is that I don't have a place to host my pics. Do you know of any sites that offer it for free?

Try Photobucket.com - I've been very impressed with the ease of their site and they allow quite a lot of free space.

I don't use Photobucket but from what I have seen, it is the best and the easiest and best of all, totally free!

Yes, their fee for more space, if you fill the free space (25MB) it is $25 a year to upgrade and then it is unlimited. Pretty reasonable fee, if you ask me. But, I've uploaded many a photo and not used up my space yet.

Yes, their fee for more space, if you fill the free space (25MB) it is $25 a year to upgrade and then it is unlimited. Pretty reasonable fee, if you ask me. But, I've uploaded many a photo and not used up my space yet.

Not a bad deal when people can store all their valuable photos online safely without any worries!