slipperorchidblog.com

As some of you may know, I have started a (free) email subscription-only newsletter called “The Orchid Zone Report,” in which I describe what is (or soon will be) available at the Orchid Zone.  For those of you who do not know The Orchid Zone (or have only heard myths, legends, and rumors), I can tell you that OZ is a vast orchid factory/jungle where the world’s finest slipper orchids are produced.  OZ is not open to the public, but the owner, Terry Root, master orchid grower and breeder (and his wife, Sam) have been very gracious in allowing me access to his greenhouses and, just as important, his deep orchid knowledge.

Slipper orchids grow slowly, but OZ is of such a scale that things are always changing.  New crops coming into bloom, forgotten stuff re-discovered, new standards being set — very, very exciting.  There are many other professional growers who have esoteric stuff, or have large facilities, but what strikes me about OZ is how high the standards are in three areas: 1) quality of plant growth; 2) the best genetics; and 3) outstanding growing facilities.

It is well known that pot plants (i.e., lower quality, non-select plants) have been bought in bloom at OZ and brought to judging shortly afterwards and received awards!  I’m not sure whether that underscores the quality of OZ plants, or the lack of quality in judging, especially when clearly superior specimens are brought in along with the pot plants for judging.

In any case, it is always a pleasure to find the latest stuff at OZ, and I’m pleased to make OZ plants available to Paphiness customers.  If you’d like to receive the OZ Report, simply send an email to orchids@paphinessorchids.com with “subscribe OZ Report” in the subject line.