I haven't been growing paphs long enough nor enough of them to qualify for answering your question. I'm only chiming in here to put in a word for Spring Water Orchids. I've found him to be a knowledgeable and reputable grower to deal with. Good luck with paphs. I love them!

My impression is that some of the Paph. glaucophyllum hybrids are less expensive and quicker to flower than some of the other hybrids.

Hopefully, you will get some more replies.

I have a few multifloral paphs. I don't find them particularly difficult to grow or bloom. The biggest issues are cost and size. Most are space hogs. In general give them bright light, moderate winter temps, and year round even watering. I don't own a Chiu Hua Dancer. So I can't comment on that hybrid. But Paphiopedilum Bernie was my first multifloral. It is tolerant of any of my mistreatment and still blooms reliable each year.

I have also made several purchases from Spring Water Orchids. All have been very pleasant experiences. He can give you the specific growing needs of Chiu Hua Dancer. In the past, he has been very up front with me regarding what makes a plant difficult and whether I could handle it given my conditions.

Thanks folks-yes the size and cost are definitely a part of it. Have one or two of the size won't bother me however; I've been toying with getting a standard cymbidium also. We used to grow the minis in Germany and I miss the abundant spikes of blooms.

As our house-connected greenhouse isn't heated, and we can't grow them outdoors here, I will have to limit the number of large orchids though! Chiu caught my eye with the lovely display of dangling, twirled petals.

Spring Water Orchids has a great reputation-I googled them a few months ago and found they were mentioned on several Orchid forums as being quite reliable and pleasant to deal with.

Thanks again-I'll email Than Nguyen (Springwater) and get his take on the level of difficulty of this particular hybrid.

I've just had a discussion with an orchid society member and he tells me that paphiopedilum sanderianum hybrids are not all that difficult to grow provided you provide the right conditions. Time is the problem, maybe 6 to 8 years for a small plant to get large enough to bloom.

Thank you Aurthur! Unfortunately I missed the Chui Hua Dancer, but managed to get a multifloral Berenice. I've put the Dancer on my wish list with Seattle Orchids in case they get any more in stock. It's really lovely and I hope they get some in soon!

Best,

Judy