Bought and received 2 orchids from Lois & Jim Duffin yesterday http://loisduffinorchids.com/
Bl. Westfieldensis (in sheath) http://picasaweb.google.com/lh...
And Den. Peewee x Red River http://picasaweb.google.com/lh...

I also got a Catt. Brabantiae (coerulea form-C. Loddiglossa 'Blue Sky' x C. aclandiae 'Blue Sky') on ebay this week. Fred has this Fred Clarke (SVO) hybrid. Did it bloom for your Fred?

Duffin always has nice plants! Good for you. Neat Den x!

The Catt. Brabantiae is causa you, Ursula!

my fault....

I just bought Broughtonia sanguinea 'Splash Basket' and could use some help with culture since they haven't done well with me in the past.
I also bought Lycaste 'Riopelle' AM/AOS x L. skinneri.

I just bought Cycnoches Jumbo Puff 'HC Sky'.

Oh, I can tell you how to grow this one! Stop watering in late fall. Some folks take them out of the medium but that killed my first. When roots start to grow in spring, let the roots grow to over an inch before you start to water again.

Thanks Kathy. I looked up some information and it pretty much said what you did. Good to know it needs that dry dormant winter rest.

I wish we had some Dendrobium experts here! I had read about that winter dry dormancy with some of them, but a NOID one went dormant last winter and, since didn't know what type it was, I started watering when the new growth got about two inches high. OOPs! The new growth immediatly rotted. I haven't trashed it yet, as the old canes still look ok. I've left it pretty much dry all summer. Don't know if it will recover or not.
Everything else is in anticipation mode...lots of new growth and some spikes and buds on an Onc., but nothing new blooming, except the one I refer to as "the weed". I'll post that if I got a decent pic.

Kathy, I treat my Broughtonia sanguinea 'Splash Basket' very much like a Cattleya.

Carol, I know how you feel! Last year - out of 4 Dendrobium kingianum pots I managed to grow and bloom two and killed two. I may have started to water too early ( although I was super careful not to over- water) and the beautiful new growth including spikes started to rot and killed both plants in no time flat. Grrrr. At least the other two did fine. Talk about a learning curve!

Do you keep them cold all winter?
'Splash Basket' is the one I bought!!!

Actually I think I have Star Splash.....

Ha! That's funny Ursula. My Kingianum lives outside all year, on the edge of my covered porch, and it gets quite a bit of rain in the winter. Of course it is all kikis, but until this year it has always bloomed well. Go figure! Definately needs repotting though. I'm thinking I may leave all my Dens out this year.

Eria bambusifolia on right and Lycaste 'Riopelle' x L. skinneri arrived today.

cool!

I didn't really just buy these, but was tempted. nia22d has some plants on sale that are 20 for $99.99, free shipping. All in spike. Bare rooted, but ready to move into 3-4" pots. No names given, but sounds like a good way for someone getting started to get a lot of spiking plants for a good price. Also 10 for $59.99. I've never ordered her bare root ones, but know all her others are the best. Wish I had room for 10 more, but don't.

Susan

That is a great way to start. Susan, you will eventually figure out a way....trust me.

Hate to say it, but I'm hoping a few of mine die off over the winter and then I can let the other ones grow larger.

Ha, ha. You are truly one of us now, Susan!!!