Goldenzelle is always a pretty flower - but yours is just WOW!

Thanks Melanie. I was happy to get a decent picture of the bloom. Sometimes the light just comes from the wrong direction.

Anyone here today?
as Ursula is happily playing with grandchildren.....

I'm here! And I have new pictures to share - even better! I figured my Chia Lin had popped so I went to check on everyone. It has popped - and so have a few others. Also, I found three new vandas in spike! I think my orchids have conspired against me and waited to bloom all at the same time. They were stubborn all summer long and are apparently now enjoying this cooler weather (so am I).

The tag for this one just says Blc. Chia Lin (So not 'New City' I guess? It seems smaller.). It has two flowers but I'm not sure the one is going to open. I waited too long to stake it up is the problem, I think. Totally my fault. The smell is incredible. And shoot! I just remembered that I forgot to sniff Kulwaldee Fragrance #22. It's okay, it has another spike opening. Still plenty of opportunity.



This next one has a long name - Blc. Chian-Tzy Emperor 'CT Golden Sun'. Not sure who named it since it doesn't look much like a golden sun to me. More like a pink sunrise. The buds were really close together so this picture is like two flowers kind of smushed together. I'll take more pictures if they open up a little more.



And my own little Neostylis 'Lou Sneary' Bluebird is just starting to open! I love this cute little orchid. Sorry it's a little blurry. Maybe I'll upgrade to a new camera for Christmas; this one is getting a little old...or maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to shop, LOL!



And finally, I checked on the orchids behind my house and lo and behold there was one in bloom. I don't even remember seeing a sheath. Silly me forgot to take a picture of the name tag thinking I could remember, but I think this is Bc. Daffodil. It's something daffodil, I just can't remember the initials. I'm not sure it's fully open judging by the look. So I'll keep an eye on it and check out the name tag again.

Hi Ursula, having a gloomy drizzly day here again, and I've been waiting on four of my orchids to get busy and pop some blooms open! Melanie, we cross-posted. I do love the colors on your Neostylis. Next time I order from Carter & Holmes, I'm getting one of those little guys! Is it fragrant?

A little blue NoID Den, my Onc. from C & H, "maybe Yellow Bird" has now at least 8 spikes, and Gerberara 'Snow Ballet' are all taking their sweet time with hardly any sun to encourage them the last few days. This is unusual weather for November when we usually have all sun all the time.

I envy you the time with your grandchildren - my one-yr.old granddaughter will be here over New Years for a nice visit, and second granddaughter is due in April.

Ok, I'm just going to have to go out and sniff everything that's open. I only remembered to sniff the Chia Lin and it's hard to avoid smelling that baby! I can't remember if the Neostylis is fragrant; I may have to wait until it opens a few more buds to really judge that.

It's also really cloudy here. In fact, when I went to take the pictures there were a few sprinkles hitting me. We could use the rain; I don't want to get out there with the hose! Or mess with the rain barrel!

Hey everyone, one of my Encyclias has pseudobulbs that are kind of shriveled (not too bad). I know that means it needs water, but if I water it will they plump back up or stay like that? Thanks for all the expert advice in advance!

Ohh, look that those beauties here!!
Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Bluebird' is always a cutie! ( yes, they are fragrant! ) And also - if you want to really smell a nice little Orchid, get a regular Neofinetia falcata. YUM at sundown!
I checked, there is a Bc Daffodil!
Melanie, they are a couple of different clones of Blc Chia Lin, it is quite possible you didn't get a named cultivar.

Nice show, Melanie! All of this Chia Lin talk has prompted mine to put on a new flower. Nothing small about the plant nor the bloom and the fragrance is powerful and sweet.


About 15 Master Gardeners just left my place after a nice dinner and garden tour. I've been working night and day to get ready for them and now I feel like a nap. I baked a ham and the rest brought side dishes. At least all of the OC windows are
clean and shinny.

Jim

That's the great part about having guests, you clean up for them, then enjoy the clean house for days or weeks afterwards.

Down side is, it's like hitting yourself on the head with a hammer, but it feels SO good when it's over. You're a true hero to entertain your MG group!

The Chia Lins are so gorgeous! Melanie's looks an awful lot like yours, Jim. Such fabulous floof!

The Chia Lins have a conspiracy going, as well, I see. Glad your MG get-together went well, Jim!

I wish my Chia Lin would join in, but so far my plant only has a couple of fat sheaths. It will take a while before I see blooms. In the meanwhile I get to enjoy the gorgeous blooms here!

Clean glass panes are always a good thing!

Melanie - great showing!!!!

Thanks Jean! Look everyone - I have badges now! Of course, I got the Orchid Badge!

Woohoo! You go girl!

A repeat of my Spathoglottis, I know. But any picture is better than no picture, right? These have been blooming non-stop for months. I am waiting in agony for at least 4 plants to pop flowers so I tour through the orchids with my camera each morning . . . . these are all I got right now.
Second pic, some interesting insect activity, I am hoping they are lacewing eggs. Lacewings eat other bugs.

Is that was those eggs are? I've seen them before and didn't know if they were friend or foe. I raise butterflies so I have to be careful what other insects I allow around my caterpillars.

Interesting, Elaine!