Paphiopedilum Fred’s Triumph, AM 81
—Brent Arnspiger, Houston, Texas
Photo: Marilyn Holloway
Paph. Odette’s Adoration, HCC 75
—Brent Arnspiger, Houston, Texas
Photo: Marilyn Holloway
Maxillaria tenuifolia ‘LIB,’ CCM 89
—Larry Baker
Photos: Marilyn Holloway
The Houston Judging Center granted three awards on Saturday, May 21. Presented were two Paphiopedilums and one magnificent specimen plant, a Maxillaria tenuifolia with more than a thousand flowers!
Paphiopedilum Fred’s Triumph (Magically Wood x Magic Fred) ‘Arnspiger,’ AM 81, presented by Brent Arnspiger
One flat, cream-color flower on a 23.7-cm inflorescence plus one bud on a second inflorescence; dorsal sepal blushed light purple, green basally, striped dark purple; synsepal suffused green centrally, striped dark purple; petals oblong, blushed light purple, green basally and centrally, random warts dark purple, more concentrated distally, margins ciliate; pouch full, overlaid heavily red-brown; staminode horseshoe-shaped, pale green, dark green centrally; substance moderate; texture satin; plant 26.5 cm wide by 13.6 cm tall.
Paphiopedilum Odette’s Adoration ‘Arnspiger,’ HCC 75, presented by Brent Arnspiger
One intensely dark flower on one erect, 20-cm inflorescence; sepals ovate, beet purple, veined darker purple; petals oblong, hirsute at margins, down swept, almost black, bright green basally; pouch dark burgundy; staminode horseshoe-shaped, mauve, dark purple centrally; substance firm; texture glossy; plant 26.0 wide by 32.0 cm tall.
Maxillaria tenuifolia ‘LIB,’ CCM 89, presented by Larry Baker
Approximately 1,100 prominently displayed flowers on 440 pseudobulbs evenly distributed on a 100-cm wide by 110-cm tall spherical plant overgrown on a 17-cm square cork raft; pseudobulbs 5.0 cm tall; leaves linear, 42.0 cm long; sepals and petals lanceolate, golden yellow, heavily barred cordovan, coalesced on distal half; lip lanceolate, yellow, white distally, heavily spotted cordovan; column cream, anther cap yellow; substance waxy; texture matte; coconut fragrance, some slightly yellowed leaves precluded higher score.
Everyone agreed the plant was magnificent. The award is given to the owner, not the plant, and it is a great honor for the grower to be recognized by this national organization.
It was a significant day for us, with high emotion and delight since we were coming off the recent HOS show with six awards. Please think about joining us. We need applicants to guarantee the continuing service we give to HOS and the region. Our next meeting is the third Saturday of June. Bring your bloomers!
A smiling Brent Arnspiger holding his Paph. Odette’s Adoration.
Photo: Fr. Ted Baenziger