Wow, I just love the color on the Lc.Koolay seagulls X Slc. Golden Treat, Carol. Its a beauty. Melanie, gorgeous purple Vanda there.

We just returned this afternoon from a week's diving vacation in the Caymans. Finally I have some new blooms to show, and one is a real surprise! I perched some little plants of Blc Little Lulu on a big oak tree branch a couple of years ago. All the plants are alive, and one has two lovely flowers. These have always been a fairly insipid color before but now they are nicely spotted and colored. I'll have to get a ladder to smell them, after dark! My nice plant of Enc. tampensis that Jim gave me is up there with them, but it blooms in the spring.



Onc. Copper Scarab 'Brass Brethren' is pretty much open now. I'm not usually too keen on brownish flowers, but these have lots of orange, yellow and white in the mix.


Nice dark purple NOID den has opened a couple of flowers. Two baskets of Bl. Yellow Bird are opening, too. Lots of spikes on those so I'm hoping I'll have flowers to show my kids when they arrive for the holidays. The golden yellow color infuses quickly when the weather has been warm, but they start out with rosy petals and an ivory lip.


They also can't decide whether to have spots on the lip or not. The two flowers in the last two shots are both on the same plant!

80 degrees and sunny here with no change in sight. That has prompted some activity in the OC.

First up is fully open Epc. Rene Marques 'Tyler'.


Epc. Lime Sherbert X Bc. Little Stars is just beautiful this year. I think I could win a ribbon with her.


My new Bc. Moonlight Perfume is looking good.


Another new one, Rlc. Taiwan Queen 'Orchis'.



Finally, a big floofy Lc. White Spark 'Panda'.



They finished the hardwood in two rooms today so I have access to my computer again. It sure looks different in here but I like it very much.

Jim

We cross posted, Elaine. Nice show, especially the Blc Little Lulu up in the tree. It has adapted nicely.
Your vacation sounds wonderful!!

Jim

Elaine, I like seeing where people grow orchids in trees and more "natural" environments since it isn't possible for too many of us. Yours are awesome!

Jim, that White Spark 'Panda' is a classic. Last year a lady brought one to my club and it won that month's award. Hers was huge, too! That Rlc. Taiwan Queen 'Orchis' is super pretty, as well! A lot of people in my club seem to have that Epc. Rene Marques 'Tyler'. Sometimes they bring them in at the same time! I almost bought one once at an orchid show but I was running low on money. I think I'll end up getting one sooner or later; the color combination is just so striking, I think.

And a lovely show from your OC today too Jim. The Lime Sherbet- Little Stars cross is a delight, and the Panda has floofy ears!

I'm giving the credit for the tree mounted Little Lulus to the rainy summer. Think I need to fix up another mister head up there to 'cheat' slightly on the au naturel setting and give them a bit more consistent water. They'd also bloom more if their mount hadn't slipped over the branch. They need more light in the spring and fall but they may be attached now, I have to check that when I get up there on the ladder.

Yes, the diving this time was spec TAC ular! My arthritis goes away after a few nice deep dives, too, which is an added delight. Pressure, warm water, gentle exercise, enriched air . . it's all good. Lasts about a month after I return too. Good thing, cause I'm having a steady stream of family visiting, starting the 22nd.

Just all so gorgeous
Love seeing these blooms.

Highs in the low 50's now and Monday night to get to 39. Time to bring in all the 'Warm' 'chids. Some in the garage with lamps, but many of the mounted are going into my office here at home. We cut back some bushes and now there is quite a bit of light coming through the west window. And the sun is low enough here in the winter that no direct comes in. Also, we really don't run the heat much in the evenings and we are both gone during the day, so I hope i don't have too much drying. Will have to watch that. Maybe some evaporation pans.

Carol, congrats on the Sophronitis cernua

Are you going to leave all yours outside? I thought you tried that last year?

Oh my, what a show, where to start!

Elaine, your trip sounds lovely!! And I can see how enjoyable it is to discover new blooms on one's return - I like the color on your noid Dendrobium and the Blc Little Lulu sure is pretty!

Jim, one of each please! Gotta love those pretty Splash petals! Great 'Panda' blooms!
And you are a few weeks ahead of my Epc Rene Marques. Beautiful Little Star x

Carol, I checked my Sophronitis cernua! Good growth, but no sign of buds here.

Ted, Yep! They're all staying out. If we get in to the 30s, I'll have to drag out the heater and put many of them in the shack, but I just don't have the space for all of them, nor the energy. Got .25" today. Not looking good for our winter...too much cold ...not enough rain. Big sigh...

I guess now's the time. It was 37 on the porch this morning with frost on the roof tops and lawns. Supposed to be colder tonight.

Hit 42 last nite here. Outlook calls for 40 tonight and 39 tomorrow, before it starts warming up

It seems to be cold everywhere! We have already had so many 20's, we already must be in record (cold) territory.

Global warming will do that…..

Apparently. Oh well, Albert Gore has become a multi-millionare because of the Global Warming hysteria, so there are all kinds of ways to profit from fads.

Ursula,

It dropped down last night to a bitter 68 degrees. No sigh of cooler temps here. Al would be proud of us.

Jim

As it will be snowing in about 2 hours here…..Jim, I so wish of 68 degr F!! Lucky you!

Jim, your Lc White Spark 'Panda' and my Lc. Purple Cascade 'Shang Beauty' may some some common linage.

Something to dream about this winter An Orchid Lover's Retreat http://www.healthretreats.info... My son thought it would be a nice Christmas present until he saw the prices.

for you, Ken - if you like
http://www.orchid.or.jp/orchid...

Room Genealogy didn't list the White Spark, but both its parents were listed.

C. Shellie Compton ( Pod parent of White Spark)
http://www.orchid.or.jp/orchid...

C. Moscombe ( Pollen parent of White Spark)
http://www.orchid.or.jp/orchid...

have fun digging through there. Isn't that site great?

Go for it, Carol. It looks great.

Jim