Lots of action here. Really like Den jenkinsii. I like the size. Will have to look for it at this weekends' show in Costa Mesa. That Yellow Bird is another I may have to look for, Elaine

Wow, that sounds like quite a trip, Jim!

What's not to love about being on a cruise ship? Only down side is, after a week's cruise (the longest we've done) I come home and want to eat nothing but Cheerios. All that wonderful, rich food . . . take your workout clothes, Jim!

Ted, I'd highly recommend Yellow Bird as nice long lasting flowers and an easy frequent bloomer. I really like how the flowers change color, starting out rosy with an ivory spotted lip, going through yellow ending up almost orange. I think it's one of my favorites. Maybe if David Sander ever blooms it will have some competition.

I like that Yellow Bird, does it have a fragrance and what are it's requirements?

Susan, it's like most of the B. nodosa crosses. It has a lovely fragrance at night. It likes bright light and mine get a little sun in the mornings. They get misted every day, and dunked in rainwater once a week. I put the fert in the sprayer so they get very weak fertilizer (1/4 recommended dilution) every day in warm weather, and every second day when it's cool. They really like being potted in wood slat baskets, and wrap their roots all around the slats.

My orchids all grow outdoors, although I do have to cover them a few nights in the winter, if the temps are falling into the 40's. They pretty much all get similar watering and fertilization, except the vandas and mounted ones get misted a bit more often in spring and fall when it's hot but not humid. I usually give them a spritz when I'm out puttering in the evenings.

Jim, great trip!!

Yes, it is the Holland America 21 day Baltic cruise with a few days added to visit friends in London. I'll try to post the pictures on a thread here like I did when we went to the Mediterranean. I don't know about working out on the ship. I do that all the time and this is my vacation. Besides, we have excursions at most every port with lots of walking. Am I ever looking forward to crown rack of lamb but I'm not much of a sweets person.

Here is a look at the alba form of Psychopsis which just opened today.


Jim

Jim, I couldn't live without OrchidWiz. I use it constantly! They just announced that version 10 will have all the New Zealand awarded flowers. Since Rob joined my COL thread from Australia I have fallen in love with Aussie orchids. Can't wait for 10 to arrive. Best orchid peripheral I've bought. It doesn't have all the photos for every flower but each version gets more pics.

That is a great trip! Be sure to send me pics from the Hermitage! What month?

I have bought my plane tickets for a weekend at Redlands with Laurel in May, can't wait! Once in a lifetime. I'm sandwiching it between IEP meetings! I might need those buying shoes back....perhaps with wheels.

I think I will ask Patty to get OrchidWiz for me for my birthday in July. I guess I had better be nice until then.

We will fly to London on June the 25th and catch the ship on the 29th. We should be back on July the 20th. We will have a special early morning viewing of the Hermitage so I should get great pics.

Kathy, I was debating the merrits of making a trip down to Redlands and now, the bonus of meeting you along with Laurel and Steve, has decided the matter. Send me the details so I can make plans This way I can hand you the buying shoes and save postage. I wonder if we could pry Ursula loose to join the party? Maybe Elaine would like to ride along keep me company? Now I can pre-order a Cym I want from Andy. I'm excited!

Jim

Klaus and I are seriously talking here. I really wish Redland would be a 2-3 weeks later, we would drive down to join you. It's just bad timing here for us.

Ursula, keep talking. Where there is a will there is a way. We've been talking for years; time we meet!

Jim

I would really love to hit the Redlands show, and of course to keep you company on the ride, Jim. But we are going diving in Grand Cayman again, and will be gone over that weekend. My arthritic joints need another underwater therapy week!

Besides, the budget hasn't recovered yet from Apopka, and I still haven't found spots to park all the 17 new orchids I bought.

Jim, I thank you and I will certainly keep that in mind.

Regarding your nice Psychopsis - does yours put on new growth? I have my Psychopsis now for several years and until recently it bloomed from the same 4 spikes it came with. In all these years I have not seen any new growth. Just wonder what it needs....

Thanks for the info on yellow bird, Elaine.

OMG, that is great news, Jim. We will finally meet! I will send you my travel plans but I am delivering myself into Laurel's care once I arrive so you should talk with her.

My orchid bloom, re-bloom... No ID.

Kathy, I am talking with Laurel and I'm sure we will work out the details. I'm looking forward to it.

Gigi, that's a pretty Phal you have there.

Jim

Thank you Jim! That is the re-bloom and there is a new flower stalk.

Ursula, I have a Mariposa that i have had for 4 years. Last summer was the first new stem

Ted, there is hope for mine....I would just love to see actually new growth.

Gigi, pretty Phal!