I have a Paph. Norito Hasegawa that is in high bud right now, for the second time. The first bud acted kinda funky. There was almost no ovary, and the bud started opening before it was even 1/2 an inch long. It took an eternity to open and by the time it was open it was only 3" wide and the whole flower was wrinkled and still so closed that you couldn't see the staminoide, and just sorta fell off prematurely. Anyways, the colour was bright sunshine yellow, just like armeniacum- very nice colour.

Well, its in bud again and its acting normal now, the bud is maybe twice as big and its just starting to crack, plus there is a normal ovary behind it...

Anyways, I want to send it for judging and have a few questions...

1. How do I improve flower size, colour and form so it opens out in its best shape?

2. I have a bit of a problem with this guy. It takes an eternity to flower (cause of malipoense) and I can't take it out from under the lights long enough to develop the flower cause of this. So I weave the stem beside the lights while it goes up, but that makes it crooked and wavy. Although over a foot long and strong, the stem is crooked and a bit wavy in areas. Do judges dock marks off for this sort of thing? And if so, I'll wait until next time. But if I do, how do I keep the stem straight as possible?

3. If it wins an award, would you consider that a liscense for the plant to breed? Aka 'good enough genes'?

Thanks...

I don't know much about breeding slippers but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! :fcrossed: Good luck and hopefully one of our more experienced slipper breeders can weigh in!

Tough job!! It is hard to predict or nurture plants to be perfect. However, you may change some of your growing conditions. Lighting, type of fertilzation during the year can increase flower size.
Judges do look at preping of plants, I suggest using the straighest bamboo stake you can find. Then use some of that green floral type and without breaking the stem, tape as neatly anb straight up the bamboo. This will give it a good appearance, clean and shine your leaves, hope for the best. You have nothing to loose.:cool:

John

:fcrossed: I'd do what John said. Whatever you do, don't slide the tape up and down, or it will make ugly brown markings on the stem.

Part of the points apply to the overall presentation of the flowers). This includes the stem, which is a very prominent part of a Paph or Phrag flower. I have read many descriptions that end with "Was considered for higher score, but flower(s) not presented well. "

I don't know about everyone else, but I groom my plants regularly, removing old/dead leaves, spikes, etc. It might be overkill, but it beats therapy. I have several plants that I would like to have judged, but in my opinion, you have to prepare the plant LONG in advance of the judging, even before it flowers. It seems that some plants that are actually very good genetically speaking are not awarded because they are not grown well. It sounds like you've got the growing part down. I would stake the plant just as soon as I thought the stem was long enough to benefit. It is important for the stem to bear some stress during development, so I use the stake most frequently as a guide for growth. Keeping your flower presenting well demands good light, and directional light can help to change a flowers position, but this must be checked daily, I've found, and must remain consistent to achieve any good effect.

As far as breeding with the flower, it depends on what you are hoping to accomplish, and whether that flower is truly going to add to your progress. As a general rule, breeding with awarded specimens will help your breeding efforts. But remember that not all plants have to be awarded to be good (especially in a breeding program), and not all awarded plants are suitable for breeding.