Went out to the shade house because Dad mentioned something yellow was blooming and I knew that meant one of my vandas had opened. In particular, it's V. Fuch's Delight x Charles Goodfellow. This is the first time it's bloomed since I originally bought it. It's a huge plant, too. And not all the buds are open yet, so it should get even better! It was kind of a pricey plant so I'm glad it's doing well.



Also blooming is Ascda. Kulwadee Fragrance #22. This one is a pretty reliable bloomer. I know this is its second time this year and I remember it bloomed last winter, too. Can't really report too much on the fragrance, though. I'll have to bring it down and give it a good sniff next time I'm out there.



And finally, my Rlc. Hawaiian Wizard has a bloom open. This one blooms twice a year; last time it had three buds but one got eaten by a rodent - which is when I started my rodent eradication plan. So far, so good. No more buds being eaten!



And in more exciting news, I found another vanda with a bud spike on it. It's one of my smaller vandas, and I can't for the life of me remember what it looks like so I'm looking forward to a surprise. My two cattleyas that were in bud are making progress. One is Chia Lin and the buds are just about to pop! You can even smell it lightly even though the buds are closed! The other one is another one I bought at Byrd's going-out-of-business sale. It looks like it might be white or yellow; the name is something like 'Golden Dawn' so I'm thinking maybe yellow? So expect more sharing in the next few weeks!

Well done, Melanie. Those are beauties. I have buds galore on one of my "maybe Yellow Birds" and a little NOID Den ready to open, but with the cool weather they'll probably slow down.

It's breezy but nice here, as long as I'm wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt! A first since about March here!

I did bring all my 5 Vandas in for the night, as it has started cooling off already. They are basking in sun through the french doors into our master bathroom. I left the bath water in the tub to give them that bit of extra humidity in there, too. A Greenhouse Bathroom, what next?? Aranda Jairak Heartthrob is nearly done, and the blooms ended up very pink!

Ohh, wonderful posts this afternoon!
I love the Vandas, Melanie. Nice pattern on the Ascda. Kulwadee! Clean looking Cattleya too, nice shape. Looking good!

Elaine, sounds like an Orchid Spa!

Great looking flowers

Some stuff in bloom today -
Dendrobium Luz del Dia 'Kiilani' had to be moved down from the top shelf against the house wall as the spikes hit the ceiling, I grow this one almost 20 years now.


Lc Sacramento Rose is a pretty ( I think) windowsill Catt.


Blc Goldenzelle 'Lemon Chiffon' ( plant 1) starts opening the first spike of a few to come.


Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Blue Bird' has another spike


and Slc Hazel Boyd 'Debbie' - the three flowers aren't properly lined up because I staked them at the wrong time.


And final parting shots of the Ascda Ratchaburi Beauty and Bc Binosa 'Tetraploid'. The Bc Binosa doesn't photograph well for me….(There is actually another small spike on that one opening.)

Beautiful show Ursula.
Still waiting to see what the Vanda is putting out. 2 of something starting. Hopefully flowers!!!!!!

Love the colors on 'Lemon Chiffon' and the Ratchaburi Beauty.

The Bc. Binosa is magnificent - it's always a challenge to get a good picture with the light coming in behind the plants, isn't it?

When should you stake a flower spike so the flowers will line up?

Thanks.
When to stake a flower spike? Oh, I am so bad at that!!
Most of the time I don't, since in my bright light conditions the spikes are usually ok. And I don't have judges inspecting the distance between blooms on a spike…. But this time, the spike curled almost downwards out of the sheath because it ( the light?) was blocked by another plant.
But - some huge, floofy blooms producing Cattleya spikes can be so heavy that the whole spike snaps as the buds open. ( Lc Irene Finney and similar have a tendency to do that) I make sure the whole new growth grows out reasonably upright and then I can tie up the spikes a bit as they emerge.

And backlit flowers are sometimes tough to show true colors, oh yes! The Bc Binosa spikes snap so easy, I hate to move it to a different spot to take pictures. I might leave the Goldenzelle too in its spot, unless the Ornithophora radicans is done blooming when the Goldenzelle is fully open, to switch them out. Tough when room is tight…..

Beautiful show everyone!....I've missed soooo many gorgeous flowers and
am enjoying catching up!

Hi Lindsey! Welcome back!

Ursula, those are all lovely. And my Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Blue Bird' is about to bloom, too! Must be the time of year for it!

Thanks, Melanie! I like these Neofinetia hybrids - they don't take up much room and I would think they are little charmers, right?

Mine was too cute. I saw a vendor that had about six of them at an orchid show last year and knew I had to have one. Plus, they're blue!

I'm just back from my fourth presentation in 8 days and although tired, wanted to say great show everyone and welcome home Lindsey! I have some new blooms in the OC and will post more tomorrow.

Jim

Beautiful show, Ursula. Love the Blue Bird

http://www.carterandholmes.com...
http://www.carterandholmes.com...

Ken, That is a very nice color on your 'Emerald Isle'.

Melanie, I love your Vandas (Ascda = Vanda these days). Also nice big Rlc. Hawaiian Wizard

Ursula, beautiful show as I like them all. The Krull-Smith Goldenzelle and the Ascda (Vanda) Ratchaburi Beauty are special.

Out in the OC I have found three new bloomers:
First is Stellamizutaara (say that one three times quickly) or Stlma. Kelly 'Lea'.


Second is Enc. atropene, var. alba 'Jim' X Bepi. Bradly's Judy 'Spots'.


And just the first bloom of many on Epc. Lime Sherbert X Bc. Little Stars:


Finally a look at my Bc. Little Stars.


Jim

Oh my!! Love it love it love it!!
The Bc Little Stars is ridiculously huge!! I have to show it to mine so it knows what to do! And the Stellamizutaara has a gorgeous lip and all!

Lovelies galore there, Jim, and Little Stars is really twinkling!

My Vandas had to leave the orchid spa today, since it's warm outside and there was a 'chance of rain'. Hoo boy! Barely a drop here and a drop there, but we're hoping for more later.

We had a brief shower and that was it. They are promising more for tomorrow. We have had one cold morning when the temp bottomed out at 52 degrees but it rebounded quickly. A little rain would be welcome.

Jim