Our Awards

When it comes to iconic characters in the realm of science fiction, one name that stands out is Jabba the Hutt. But who is Jabba exactly? One of our Phragmipedium kovachii of course, that recieved a HCC quality award.

How to Care for Phragmipedium Kovachii

Now, you may be wondering, how can you care for your own Phragmipedium kovachii? Fear not, dear reader, for this orchid may have a colorful past, but it's not as high-maintenance. Keep your kovachii  in a well-draining mix, provide it with bright, indirect light, and water it regularly to keep it evenly moist.  We grow our collection of kovachii in a our "golden standard Phrag mix", which is a composition of orchiata, perlite, charcoal. Some additional coco-peat moss is added for added moisture retention and we dress generously with our "slipper thrive" calcium/silicia additive. 

Read more about the history and care of kovachii under our 'Ewok' blog post!

[John Doherty, Zephyrus Orchids, an esteemed judge poses with Jabba at the Windsor Judging] 

Welcome, fellow orchid enthusiasts, to the personal introduction to Phragmipedium kovachii! If you're looking to add a touch of South American jungle to your collection, look no further than this massive flower orchid species. But what exactly is Phragmipedium kovachii, and why did it cause such a stir in the orchid community?

What Makes Phragmipedium Kovachii So Special?

Phragmipedium kovachii, is in the slipper orchid, is a rarer and striking orchid species native to Peru. With its vibrant magenta petals and unique slipper-shaped lip, this orchid is a showstopper in any collection. But what really sets Phragmipedium kovachii apart is its controversial history.

The Controversy Surrounding Phragmipedium Kovachii

Back in 2002, when Phragmipedium kovachii was first discovered, it caused quite a stir in the orchid world. Its stunning beauty and limited availability led to a frenzy among collectors, with some plants fetching exorbitant prices on the black market. This led to concerns about over-harvesting and the potential extinction of this rare species.

The original plant was smuggled into the US which led to some major drama, and even criminal charges! A Peruvian nursery ownner apparently had been offering kovachii for sale for around $10,000 USD per plant. In Mayu, 2022 Virginian J.M. Kovach purchased 3 plants from a roadside kiosk. He brought one plant back to the US and took it to the Botanical Gardens in Florida.  A description was written at Selby's Orchid Identification Center, J.T. Atwood & S. Dalstron, and one Peruvian reviewer, R. Fernandez.  It was issued on June 12, 2002 as a supplement to Selbyana, the Gardens' scientific publication.  This beat the publication by Eric Christenson in Orchids, which was published June 17, 2002, by five days.  The tale of the upheaval that followed Selby's description of an obviously illegally-imported plant is well-covered in "The Case of the Purloined Orchid," by C. Pittman (2005).

How to Care for Phragmipedium Kovachii

Now, you may be wondering, how can you care for your own Phragmipedium kovachii? Fear not, dear reader, for this orchid may have a colorful past, but it's not as high-maintenance. Keep your kovachii  in a well-draining mix, provide it with bright, indirect light, and water it regularly to keep it evenly moist.  We grow our collection of kovachii in a our "golden standard Phrag mix", which is a composition of orchiata, perlite, charcoal. Some additional coco-peat moss is added for added moisture retention and we dress generously with our "slipper thrive" calcium/silicia additive. 

Who's Ewok?

The awarded cultivar name was picked from the Starwars fictional race of small, furry, big eared creatures. Ewok had very pronounced and rounded petals, clocking in at 14.7cm x 11.1cm flower size. What a whopper! We anticipate the flower size to increase as the plant sizes up!

One of our first awarded Phragmipedium besseae, this clone name is 'Superhe'Roe', like many of the best besseae available on the market today, it traces its origins to Orchid Zone nursery. Larger flowering clones are highly sought out by collectors and hybridizers for their large full flowers. 

This particular clone is prone to producing branching on the same inflorence and we had it hold up to four flowers on one branch! Something thats typically seen in the d'alessandroi variety. 

What's in a Name?

Phragmipedium besseae may have a fancy name, but it's also known as a "Lady Slipper Orchid." (No, it doesn't actually wear slippers, but wouldn't that be adorable?). The plant was discovered in 1981 by Elizabeth Locke Besse, and named after her.