Fine
breeder of complex paphiopedilums, with an emphasis on
pinks
and whites...also, select species and primaries.
Many
have said that collecting orchids is addictive. If this is true, then I
would
certainly qualify as a true orchid addict! I started collecting orchids
over 2
decades ago when I visited a nearby greenhouse and purchased several
that were in bloom. After a few months, as those blooms were beginning
to fade, I decided it would be nice to have something in bloom year
round. Over the next year I visited many of the local greenhouses
and purchased a variety of different orchids. As I gained
experience growing them, I became most intrigued
by the unique, sometimes bizarre, sometimes elegant, look of the lady
slipper (Paphiopedilum) orchids.
They are
very easily grown in the home and come in a huge number of shapes and
sizes.
I had been bitten by the orchid bug, and within a year, I had started an extensive collection. In
the following years I continued to add to my collection, consistently
elevating the quality of my plants. In the early 1990's, I began a
concerted breeding program focused on producing the highest quality complex,
novelty and species paphs... and Marriott Orchids was born! In
1998, just before the birth of our son, my wife and I decided it
was time to begin the orchid business as my full time career.
Now, over 20 years since purchasing my first plant, I am proud to be recognized as
one of the top orchid breeders in the country, specializing in
Paphiopedilums.
Marriott Orchids has received over 200 awards
from the American Orchid Society, including five FCC's
(First Class Certificate's). In the last few years, I have been fortunate to
have had two crosses awarded an AQ - (Award of Quality). This award is
designed to recognize hybridizing excellence in producing a cross of
exceptional merit. My "Holy Grail" in orchids was just
realized at the end of 2005. I received a letter of congratulations from
Lee Cooke, Executive Director of the American Orchid Society. In it he
explained that a plant of my hybridizing, Winwine 'Dark Spell' FCC/AOS,
had just been voted as the winner of two AOS "Special Awards".
The AOS Trustees had voted for it as the winner of both the W.W.Wilson
Award and the Merritt W. Huntington Award, for 2004. The former award is
for the most outstanding Cypripedioideae (slipper) awarded in that year.
The latter award is for the most outstanding FCC awarded plant of any
genus in the previous year. Words are not adequate to express my
gratitude at being given these two awards. Now all I need is 48 more
years to share life with my wife, and see my son grow up... and I can
die a happy
man!
Hadley
is available to speak to Orchid Societies & at Shows.
If you would be
interested in having him speak, please contact us for availability.

"Complex
Pink/White Paphs:
The Road Less Traveled"