theoneflasehaddock wrote:

Well, then it's self-pollinated. Paphs can't really be crossed with
any other

genus (as far as I know, I don't know if it's possible with Cypripediums, but
definitely not anything else).



Nope, not cyps, phrags, or selenipediums either. If you do manage
to make that work, let me know... *grin* And if you would be so kind
as to not tell anybody else until I get a few thousand up to blooming
size, that would help too.

Personally, I don't expect that the seedpod would significantly compromise it,
but Rob has more experience than me with seepods on Paphs, you should listen to
him, unless you want seedlings.



Depends a lot on the type of breeding, actually. Maudiae types
(like Macabre) are very vigorous in general, and might not even notice.
Less vigorous plants (many species, some complex hybrids) may take quite
a hit. I know somebody who set too many capsules on a very nice Paph.
kolopakingii (which can have 8 or more flowers per inflorescence) and
killed the poor thing. That might be an extreme example. In general,
if you aren't breeding on purpose, it is always better to remove any
capsules that might form. It has to take some energy, which could be
devoted to growing and flowering. Every little bit helps.

For the same reason, a lot of people will cut spikes on first bloom
paphs. I've seen people cut phal spikes too. These incredibly patient
people would rather give the plant another year of uninterrupted growth
and see the next flowering at something more closely approximating the
full potential of the plant. I've done it a few times, but it hurts...
I don't have the moral fortitude for it.

Depends if you want a bunch of little Paph Macabre all over the place.



There are a lot of new Macabre which are simply stunning compared to
older versions of that cross. Look for them. The 'old' ones are nice,
the new ones are awe inspiring. If it were me, I might play with
growing some seeds, but I would spend my money on some of that new set
of Macabres. Orchid Zone made this last batch using superior parents.
Various vendors are selling them, if they have any left. Ask for the
newest Orchid Zone Macabres by name, a paph specialist will know what
you are talking about. It is possible that other breeders have also
remade the cross with improved parents, I have only seen the OZ ones.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit