Paphiopedilum spicerianum Awarded and Non Awarded Compared
( 2 photos)


Paphiopedilum spicerianum ‘Monster’ HCC photo by Ramon de los Santos (also the grower)

Paphiopedilum spicerianum with the dorsal sepal projected forward in the photo by Kenyon is the most common. The flattening
out of the dorsal sepal and the larger, rounder, and flatter shape of Paphiopedilum spicerianum ‘Monster’ HCC is an example of
the direction of breeding for awarded orchid flowers. There is thought that in nature the forward projected sepal found in slipper
orchids keeps water out of the pouch. Water in the pouch could drown the pollinator or make the flower to heavy for the stem.
As orchid breeding for awards changes the dimensions of flower parts, there are questions about the usefulness of awarded species
for conservation. Judging orchids for awards is an important part of orchid horticulture. It would be interesting to see what awarded
orchids will look like 100 years from now.


Paphiopedilum spicerianum photo by Gordon Kenyon

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