I just adore Paphiopedilum micranthum, but I have not managed to keep my pure species plant alive, so instead I have to “settle” for the offspring in the several primary hybrids with micranthum that I grow, this being one of them. Paphiopedilum Magic Lantern is a very successful cross between P. micranthum x delenatii. Sweet and easy to grow (yet slightly boring… sorry) delenatii taming micranthum making this cross a delight to grow. Delivering the lovely micranthum chin, reminiscent of Mumps (epidemic parotitis) that I adore so much. A tad much on the pink side color wise for my personal taste, but I can handle it. I grow this like all my Paphs, potted in a mix of bark and volcanic rocks, medium light, evenly moist and intermediate temperature. I still need to get myself a new pure Paphiopedilum micranthum for the collection, it has been a year since I lost my first attempt and I feel ready to take on the challenge anew.
lovely
Thank you Steve! 🙂
Wonderful…I really start to get feverish for Paphiopedilums! Though once a year asks for patience, but I really do hope my lately acquired delenatii will make me happy next year! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 A very good German Paphiopedilum seller once told me that delenatii is a beginners Paphiopedilum, so in other words you have very good chances bringing it to bloom. Good luck!
I wonder if your P micranthum died because in nature it grows on limestone that is alkaline, while P delenatii grows on leaf litter that may be acidic. Maybe a potting mix of sphag and bark is too acidic for micranthum. Maybe it could grow in LECA/ Hydroton with some garden lime added? I am no expert but i thought of this by looking the 2 species up on IOSPE. Anyway I am for species, but primary hybrids are often nice like in this case.
Thanks Stefano. 🙂 I actually already do grow the alkaline loving Paphs with a little bit of lime mixed in, and grow them almost exclusively in volcanic rocks. But thanks a lot for the tip. I think the trouble with my P micranthum might have been due to something else. It had really poor root system when I got it so perhaps the odds were against me… The primary hybrids seem to do fine without lime however. I definitely need to give micranthum another go though. 🙂
Very beautiful….I buy recently one Paphiopedilum micranthum to Popow orchids and it comes in a vase full of stone, I think is calcareous…..I almost changed but after reed something about them , I decided not to change….
About this hybrid….One day I will have one…..I don’t like hibrids to mutch but this one….is amazing….
Thank you! I am usually not that excited about hybrids either, but there are so many nice Paphiopedilum primary hybrids so I make exceptions. 🙂
LOL @ “A tad much on the pink side color wise for my personal taste, but I can handle it.” Pink in moderation is my motto too 🙂
Beautiful photos, Karma 🙂
Pink in moderation! 🙂 Thanks, nothing beats photographing in natural daylight outdoors.