Enter Lady Macbeth

Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts! unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe, top-full
Of direst cruelty...

Allow me to introduce you to Lady Macbeth who is not in complete bloom yet, but is so amazing I had to get out the camera.

I can see how slipper orchids might become addictive. The variety of shapes and colors all based on the same theme of the crowned slipper is entrancing, that is for sure.

In the photo below, you can see how much more imposing Lady M is when compared to mischievous scamp Pinocchio.

You will notice that the leaves of Lady Macbeth are mottled green and white, while Pinocchio's are plain green. According to my various orchid books, that tells me that Lady M prefers dimmer light and more moisture. So they are in different places, and only together here for the comparison photograph.

Pinocchio's bloom has been out for over a month now, and there's a young bud growing on the stem below. That's another very pleasing aspect of orchids -- the blooms can stick around for months, providing lots of viewing and tending pleasure.

There's another paphiopedilum called Macbeth's ghost and one called Hamlet's Quest. I'm not going to be tempted until I've made it through to the next growing season with these two. Then we'll see!