This lovely creature, Paphiopedilum ‘Satin Smoke’, came in bud in my order from Schwerter last week. It has just begun to open up and show me that awesome chubby micranthum chin… I just love Paphiopedilum micranthum, but haven’t gotten one yet since they have a reputation for being a little hard. I’ll start with this one first.
This primary hybrid between Paphiopedilum micranthum and P. primulinum truly shows off the best from from the two worlds! The incredible creamy plump lip (or labellum) makes me think of the mumps! Or perhaps in a more tantalizing likeness would be a very soft dollop of whipped cream.
Then of course you have the sequential flowering heritage from primulinum, a very desirable trait. The result is nothing short of a very sophisticated and beautiful flower. I grow this one on the windowsill under additional lighting in orchid bark mix. I think I have a new favorite in the Paphiopedilum collection…
