I'm getting ready to pollinate my Paph Varvara 'Penn Valley' AM/AOS and I'm interested in ideas from the group.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphVarvaraPennValley.jpg

Feel free to come up with any ideas. Below are pictures of plants I have to help you get started, but please don't limit yourself to these ideas. I have pollen from many other species and hybrids.

The first idea would be a remake: Paph Varvara x charlesworthii = Paph Margaret Rose , one AOS award.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/Paphcharlesworthiiplant.jpg

Paph Harbur 'Perfection' HCC/AOS
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphHarburPerfection.jpg

Paph Via Luna Este 'China Doll' AM/AOS
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphViaLunaEsteChinaDoll.jpg

Here's a few others to consider
Maybe a complex white like Paph Mem. Howard King 'Marriott's Dreamdust' AM/AOS
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphMemHowardKing.jpg

Paph Barbi-Doll
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphBarbiDolls.jpg

Paph concolor
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphconcolorSlim.jpg

Paph henryanum
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/PaphhenryanumP.jpg

WOW! Great looking flowers & pics!
Don't know what you have in mind - are you going after the modern hybrid line or??
Personally would love to see the remake (Margaret Rose)..
Curious abt how the outcome x henry too!!

I think it would also be nice to remake the Margaret Rose. My second choice would be either a big white complex or maybe niveum?

Nice photos and I also pick a remake of Margaret Rose.

Awesome pics...I like Barbie Doll.

Thanks for all the comments, so far. I should have given you more info about Varvara. It is a complex x species cross of fairrieanum x Clair de Lune. Clair de Lune through a combining in four generations of crosses is comprised of lawreceanum, callosum and cutisii. The leaves have the thin shape of fairrieanum, but are longer. The flowers are perched atop a 30 cm. stem with these dimensions: Natural spread: about 8.5cm, doral width about 5cm.

Just curious: Other than shape, why are you considering using a complex white?? Last question: What direction would you like this line of breeding to take, or is this a cross for the crosses sake? Personally, Paph Varvara appears to be missing only the shape of a truly phenomenal spotted red complex paph. Bringing this into teacup paphs would be a tremendous step forward. This is really the only argument for using something like Paph concolor. I like remakes, especially with better parents. Lastly, I'd like to vote for the henryanum.......I feel this would add something to flower shape, and reduce the overall plant size, and further your interest in teacup breeding.

I still vote for charlesworthii or fairrieanum.

Just curious: Other than shape, why are you considering using a complex white?? Last question: What direction would you like this line of breeding to take, or is this a cross for the crosses sake? Personally, Paph Varvara appears to be missing only the shape of a truly phenomenal spotted red complex paph. Bringing this into teacup paphs would be a tremendous step forward. This is really the only argument for using something like Paph concolor. I like remakes, especially with better parents. Lastly, I'd like to vote for the henryanum.......I feel this would add something to flower shape, and reduce the overall plant size, and further your interest in teacup breeding.

The white would be used to possibly suppress the yellow and green, hopefully creating a pink.

The concolor to reduce size and widen petals.

The red complex would be to give rounder form, while hopefully maintaining the Varvara's intermediate to small size.

As to what direction this breeding should take, I'm just currently collecting ideas. The eventual goal is miniature Paphs, but it would most likely be more that one step.

These are just guesses on my part.

If your goal is to create more teacup paphs with some color range, then henryanum would be my choice. It is a bit small in plant size than Varvara, still holds it's flowers well above the foliage and would enhance the color.
Henryanum will add green to the dorsal and pink to the pouch with a fair amount of variation.
It would be a pretty and unique hybrid.....

I think it would also be nice to remake the Margaret Rose. My second choice would be either a big white complex or maybe niveum?

Niveum might be interesting, also.

I personally like the henryanum! Nice dorsal. Will add coloration!

Ross,

With my addiction to henryanum crosses, I have to vote for henryanum... That being said, the concolor would broaden out the petals a bit getting you closer to the round ideal.

Darin

My second choice will also be henryanum for size and colors. I think it will make a pretty hybrid.

If your goal is to create more teacup paphs with some color range, then henryanum would be my choice. It is a bit small in plant size than Varvara, still holds it's flowers well above the foliage and would enhance the color.
Henryanum will add green to the dorsal and pink to the pouch with a fair amount of variation.
It would be a pretty and unique hybrid.....

All very good points, Bill. But what I went ahead and did was try the remake of Margaret Rose (Varvara x charlesworthii). What intrigued me was that the clonal name for the lone award was 'Pixie'. Unfortunately, I did not find any further seedlings for sale in Wharton Sinkler's collection at Winsome Orchids, which makes me think that the cross might be relatively infertile. If this pollination fails to take, I may use henryanum pollen on the second Varvara flower, or put Varvara on a new mutigrowth henryanum that is just coming in to bloom if the flower is of good quality.

Thank you to everyone for their comments.:)