Paph.exul 'Sophia' AM/PCT

Paph.exul 'Sophia' AM/PCT

'Sophia' is also from an island of Krabi.

It's flower is quite similar to 'Kosol'.
The only different I can notice is the thickness of dorsal sepal where Sophia gives thicker dorsal.
Some says both might came from the same habitat, or even same seed pod.

Of course, the plant is rare and extraordinary.
It is better to appreciate its beauty from following photographs than my humble description.
Enjoy!

Exiled Exuls Return Home

Exiled Exuls Return Home

From original story by Saridporn P.: http://www.pantip.com/cafe/jatujak/topic/J10942071/J10942071.html

The royal initiation of H.M.Queen Sirikit

According to the royal thought of H.M.Queen Sirikit, to conserve the native orchid of Krabi province, Paphiopedilum exul, this project has been organised during the queen's birthday (August 12) for many years. This year, the event was held on August 9, 2011.

This year, 1,684 clumps of exul has been plant. Until now, there have been in total more than 5,000 clums planted so far in this site.

In the beginning,  plants were stolen quite a lot. But after the Royal Thai Navi allowed the organiser, P.exul grower club of Krabi, to plant orchids in military area, there has been no lost since then.
There was also a problem of rotting since soil was used as a compost so they changed to use charcoal instead. The surviving rate improves to 90% in last 3 years.

This year, many exuls at the site, are found in bloom even though the peak blooming period is passed. (normally during December to March) Most of them looks very healthy. Some also produce new young growths. Some are having already a seed pod from previous season.

Paph. growers in Krabi and provinces nearby (i.e. Phuket and Phang-nga) also donate their plant to the project every year. Students and community also attend and help each other in plant P.exul and other kind of orchids on the site.

Krabi club are running to problem of budget shortage as they have been spending on its own for years in hosting the event. Hopefully, they can solve the problem to keep this activity as long as possible.

P.exul planted last year

P.exul in bloom

P.exul producing new growth

Seed pod from natural pollination on site

Edible veg exhibited by school kids

Exhibit of P.exul by Phang-nga club

Turtle also released to their natural habitat

The Navy are trained by Mr.Tien Jiranai, how to plant P.exul

Mascots and school kids

People from nearby communities

Governor of Krabi province

R. retusa with many seeds

P.exuls and P.leucochilums from Phuket club

healthy root leucos from Phuket

Paph.exul "Phang Nga" AM/RHT

Photographed by Seksan Towiwat

P.exul 'Phang Nga' AM/RHT

'Phang Nga' is from an island of Krabi.

Not only circular sepal and synsepal makes 'Phang Nga' outstanding, but leaves are unlike other ordinary exuls.
Phang Nga's leaves are extremely wide which looking very special when grown well in a big clump.

Although the flower size is not the biggest, but the form/features disallow you to forget 'Phang Nga' especially when 4 flowers are blooming in the same time.

The flower is always supported by an erected/strong inflorescence.

As its leaves are so wide so I believe over-dehydration is the reason why Phang Nga takes longer to get established after been divided. Anyhow, Phang Nga can grow fast after established.

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Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan

Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan

Paph.exul 'Chamnansin' AM/RHT

Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan

Inflorescence = 30cm

P.exul 'Chamnansin' AM/RHT
{pronunciation = cham-nan-sin}

'Chamnansin' is from an island in Krabi, named for Mr. Chamnansin who was the first one who found this plant.

'Chamnansin' has a special feature on upper edge of both petals resembling a sawtooth.
The plant has Dark yellowish-green dorsal sepal and also bright orange petals and the pouch.

'Chamnansin' has a 50cm-long, dark green, thick leaves. It looks quite strong when properly grown in a large clump. Inflorescence is even longer than the longest leaf.

This is said to be the best exul ever found.
As the flower quality is very much depending on how ready the plant is, some said, Chamnansin's flower is even better than Kosol when it blooms at the peak condition.


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Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan

 

Paph.exul 'Kosol' AM/RHT

 
Paph.exul 'Kosol' AM/RHT

'Kosol' is from an island in Krabi.

The plant has been introduced in Thailand for more than 10 years.
It is considered as the best exul for many years.
There are so many story of those people who would like to get this plant.
Some were almost a fight.

'Kosol' can perform in a very good form even when it has not been grown in the best condition.
The rounded shape is still expectable.

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Paph.exul 'A Hui'

Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan

Paph.exul 'A Hui'

Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan

Paph.exul 'A Hui' is from mainland of Krabi.

A Hui has very wide, strong, erected leaves which make 'A Hui' very easy to grows.
A Hui can bloom easily starting from August to March when having many growths.

Flower:
Dorsal sepal is 3.7cm wide, thick, rectangular shape on white base consisting strong maroon spots on a green center.
A Hui has a remarkable bright redish-purple mark on the middle top of the dorsal sepal.

Both petals and the lip are thick and strong and having a dark chocolate color.

Inflorescence: 22cm

Photographed by Saridporn Ponpanichpan