Looking great there, Mj. I love 'Diana' what a class act there, but the Mini-Quinee is terrific. As Ursula said above, once they start sticking their roots out the side of the pot, that's when they really bloom!

Just got back from the local orchid show and have lots of pictures. Will post them on another thread if there are enough good ones. It was a very nice show with good vendors, but the prices were too steep for me so I didn't buy a thing! Forgot to light up the buying shoes, I guess.

I am jealous, Elaine. What's a "Local Orchid Show" anyway? My closest "local" show is 125 miles away!

Yet another reason to move to Florida, Ken. We have an orchid show within an hour's drive almost every weekend from now until . . . I don't know when! Just from my perspective, there's one in Englewood, Venice, a couple in Tampa/St. Pete area that I will make an effort to go to. Then there are so many more in Orlando, Miami area, and all up the dark side.

I am starting a thread for my show pictures, although some of them aren' t all that great. Coming soon to a Forum near you.

I'm back and have shaken off the redeye Friday night flight by doing mostly nothing yesterday. Lots of great posts here in my absence. Nice pickup at Trader Joe's, Elaine. I was in one up in Virginia and found no orchids nor even a can of crushed pineapple. Strange store. As for the NOID Catt, break the pot and save the roots.

Ursula, love that Schomburgkia!

MJ, beautiful show. You've been holding back on us. Ursula is right on the shape of your Robert's Delight. It has a tendency to stay cupped. I really like your Bct. Booth Lee 'Venice' (Bsn. Maikai x C. Jalapa). Note the name change.

Melissa, love your Den Gillieston Gold.

I had a few blooms waiting for me when I got home and all of the plants looked good. First up is Epi. Lime Drop X Ttma.schomburgkii. It is just beginning to open the first of several buds.


Then there is Myc. (Schomburgkia) Luster:


Pretty color on this C. Haleah Serenity:


This one is listed as Lc., Sc. and just C. Haw Yuan Angel. I'm going with the "C".


This Bsn. Maikai is called 'Spotted Star':


This is Alcra. Clownish (Brat. Charles M. Fitch x Onc. Solana). I've also seen it called Aliceara [Alcra.] Clownish.


I'm saving the best for last. This Schomburgkia is huge and mounted on a slab of cedar. The spike is four feet long. Here is Myc. Mem. Louise Fuchs 'Weesie' AQ/AOS:



Jim

Forget Miami, Elaine. With bumper-to-bumper traffic 24/7 and a feeling that I am the ONLY English-speaking person in the city - well, its not for me. Spending the four days there for the Orange Bowl was plenty, thank you anyway.

Spectacular show, Jim and welcome back to paradise! Yes, flying home on the red eye always wipes me out, too. Your C. Haleah Serenity: is the bluest of the blues, gorgeous.

I couldn't agree more, Ken. Would never live over there, that's why we West Coast Floridians call it 'the dark side'. It's not only because it gets dark there first . . . So right about the language barrier, I'm convinced more people speak English in Cancun than in Miami.

But for an orchid show? I may venture down there one day, especially for the big Redlands show.

Ken, I remember when I was getting all these recruiting letters for colleges and University of Miami sent me one stating they were located in "lovely Coral Gables". If the university won't even claim it's in Miami, you know you have issues! Florida's a big state and it has quite the variety. I've been looking into planning a few day trips or weekend trips. My therapist thinks it would be good for me, plus there's a lot of stuff I've never seen even though I'm a Florida native. Fairchild Gardens for one. The butterfly exhibit at UF is another. I want to go to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary but I'm trying to decide when. I'd love to see the Ghost Orchid in bloom there, but that's usually in the summer and I don't know if I want to be out in that heat. It sounds like a fun place to go anyway. Maybe I can just buy the t-shirt and pretend.

Jim, awesome show there. I'm digging the 'Serenity' the most. I could use a bit of that!

Elaine and I cross-posted but I see we're on the same wavelength. I've never been to Redlands, either...but my bank account is probably healthier for it!

Yeah, mine too Melanie! If I made a 4-hour trip to Redlands, I'd not only spend all the money on gas, I'd surely feel obliged to buy something . . . human nature being what it is. I actually feel pretty good that I 'escaped' the show today without bringing home any new orchids. However . . .. my husband has a flight out of TPA on Tuesday afternoon and I am sorely tempted to go visit Favero and Phelps up there on my way home. They both said they have the Neo's and Gongora I was looking for.

C'est la vie.

Elaine and Melanie, let me know when you want to go down for the Redlands sale. I've been once with Laurel and Kathy and would love to go again.

Jim

Those places are just minutes from me, Elaine. Please stop by.

Jim

Sure thing, Jim. Their site still doesn't have dates for this year's show, although it says 'to be announced in the fall'.

It's usually in May, isn't it? I'll have to see what my life's looking like in May . . . if we can get the school garden project wrapped up a little earlier than we did last year I'll likely have some time.

I was just looking for the dates but they're not up yet for 2015. It's usually in May, right? I saw a website that said mid-May for a past festival. I think we're planning on going to West Virginia to see Grandma in early May, but I could arrange it to be back in time, I'm sure. I've never been but it sounds like fun. Plus, I was looking at last year's vendors and they really do come from all over the world. I remember the month after the festival at the Orchid Society everyone was bringing in the things they had bought to show off. And they had some crazy beautiful orchids!

Edit: Elaine and I have got to stop cross-posting!

Jim if you ever feel you've run out of space and simply MUST find a new home for some, your little Bsn. Maikai 'Spotted Star' can come live here.

I'd kill to be able to go to the Redland's sale. I'd need to have won the lottery tho, as I'd be coming home with more than Orchids. ...

Orchids, Hoya's, Aroids.....OH MY ! LOL

I've mentioned this on some other threads, but I can't remember if I've mentioned it here, but even if I have, it's worth repeating. If you like to visit various botanical gardens and you're a member of one, you should check out the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admission Program. Basically, if you're a member of one of the gardens, they treat you like a member at the others! This often means you get in free. For example, my parents and I have a family membership to the USF Botanical Gardens. So we can get in free to Selby, Fairchild, and Bok Tower Gardens, among others. (I'm thinking of going to Bok Tower since I've never been.) Considering our membership is $35 per year and one adult ticket to Selby is up to $19 now, you can also save serious money! Something to look into if you live within a fair distance of several gardens or plan on making a trip to one in particular. You can check out the program and the list of participating gardens here: http://www.ahs.org/gardening-p...

I can hear the rain coming down outside which means Jim is probably getting it, too! Last winter was really wet. I wonder if we're in for a repeat? Saves me from having to water the orchids! And maybe it will encourage my cattleya to pop open finally!

MJ, we could always take you to Redlands and hide your wallet in the car where you can't find it! Or maybe you could just carry enough cash in your pockets and we'd hide all your bank cards. They do have an ATM (they know us orchid people too well, I think).

Mellie your probably pretty safe from having to hold my wallet hostage. I have a hard enough time getting to the south end of town much less the south end of the state ! But is sure nice to think about.

The 2015 Redland International Orchid Festival is featured on the front, inside cover of ORCHIDS magazine. It is May 15-17. Check out www.redlandorchidfestival.org.

Wow Jim, what a beautiful show waiting for you to get home! Lovely!

The only Orchid show that i know of in my area is happening the end of March, at the Jacksonville Garden Club...I can't wait! I went last year. My first time ever...It was awesome! It's where I purchased my Ludisia. I'll definitely be going back this year!
Hmmm...
Thinking that maybe I need to have a yard sale between now, and then!

Catching up here this morning!
Jim is back posting a beautiful Show !! The color on the C Haleah Serenity is gorgeous and I love the cute C Haw Yuan Angel. Wild looking Myc Luster, but the 'Weesie' is awesome!!!

We have several events coming up here-
Starting up with the North Jersey Orchid Society Show from Jan. 16 - 18. at the Strawberry Blossom Farm in Wayne NJ. Then there is the Deep Cut OS Show Febr 6 -8 at the Dearborn Farm in Holmdel, NJ.
Then in-between those two shows Silva Orchids has their open house, Jan. 23 - 25.

There is only one problem, I have to part with some plants before I can buy new stuff. Or at least move some stuff out this Spring. I have several large plants as doubles! And I simply can't hang on to everything!

I know what you should do, Ursula! How close is your post office?