Normally I see nothing wrong to discuss our many different ways of bug control! I do it all the time!
Added later on - After all, we need and should share our experiences to take care of our charge.

But this particular article, if discussed correctly, might lead to some heated arguments. There is a good reason I also stay away from GMO discussions, religion and politics on official forums.

Except for my 'wild' orchids out on the oak tree, mine are all inside the pool cage, so the bees never get to them. Same with my two brugs, which are the only other plants I ever used a systemic on. As stated above, I gave up using systemics a couple of years ago anyway because the spider mites developed immunity to it so fast it was useless.

Kate, I have lots of bees. That may be because my neighbor has hives (and he sells delicious honey) but . . I wonder why you're not seeing them? We also see lots of bees at the school garden, which is a mile or so away from me. We had to plant a butterfly garden to be sure to attract pollinators to the former playing field area there, but there are always bees now, and butterflies too. Get over to Florida Native Plants, pronto! You need lots more butterfly plants.

Around here - two of the plants I bought recently in bud are now open!
Cll Mizoguchi 'Princess Kiko'

"In-situ"

and the Cattleya/Guarianthe aurantiaca 'Spot 1' x 'Spot 2' has cute little speckles, especially on the lip.

I love 'princess Kiko' !

Thanks Carol! I am happy all buds opened nicely! I like it very much.

I'm just back from singing at an AARP meeting where we got a standing ovation. That's unusual because most of our concerts the folks can't stand.

Ursula, I love the flower on your Restrepia lansbergii. Such a cute little plant. I also like the flower color on the Guarianthe aurantiaca. Nothing bashful about it. I agree with Carol about your 'Princess Kiko'.

Elaine, you have that Yellow Bird working overtime for you! Good growing.

I'm probably jumping the gun by a day or so, but Ctt. Eva (Gur. aurantiaca x C. cinnabarina) it just beginning to pop. Last year at this time it was an Lc. It will be quite a show when all of those flowers are fully open.


Also jumping the gun a little here, Dendrobium spectabile is just opening the first of many blooms. I have won the blue ribbon with her the last two years and that show is coming up on March the 9th. The plant is just massive and because it normally hangs, the spikes are coming out in all directions making it hard to transport.


Fully open now is Cattleya skinneri:


Jim

Really nice, Jim. I can see the "transport" problem you would have.

You are not kidding, that plant is a huge sprawler, gorgeous!!
I love the color on Eva too. I think it is the season for aurantiaca and its x!!
And very nice C skinneri too!
Jim, I am curious about your singing program, what songs did you perform?

America The Beautiful
Tennessee Waltz
Let There Be Peace On Earth
Five Foot Two
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Hello My Baby
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
There's No Business Like Show Business
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Ain't She Sweet
Lullaby Of Broadway
Music, Music, Music
Hello Dolly
When You Wore A Tulip
Pretty Baby
God is My Shepherd
Edel Weiss
It's A Small World
The Old Rugged Cross
Bless This House
May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You

That was today's program. We have three different programs so we mix it up a little. There are 25 or 30 singers plus a piano, bass and drums. The other group I am in just sings religious songs, mostly old time hymns and we do it in four part harmony. We have one person on each part plus a piano and two guitars. I like it better as I am more of an old time 4 part harmony bass singer. Long live southern gospel!

Jim

Thank you Jim...I think. Since you listed "it's a small world" I can maybe get over Ray Charles' "Busted" that's been stuck in my head for the last two weeks!

Wow Jim, that is quite a selection!! Great on both groups!

Laeliocattleya Mildred Rives 'Orchidglade' FCC/AOS

I love white orchids. You have a bunch of them, huh?

Fred, that is outrageous! Beautiful show!

Jim, you and I seem to love the same types of red Catts. Love your Ctt Eva!

My greenhouse has been patiently waiting for the buds to bloom. Yesterday the first bloom on the Leptotes bicolor opened. I'm hoping that it will open slowly so it will be ready for the show in 4 weeks. But with my luck it will bloom out too early.

I will just have to enjoy everyone's blooms while mine take their sweet time.

Fred, what fabulous huge blooms there. Are you sure you have enough of that plant?

I'd love to know what you're fertilizing all those big healthy babies with.

I'm for "lightening his load", Elaine.

Wow, Fred. You need to set up a plant stand out by the road.

Jim

We have had an all day deluge today keeping us and our guests stuck in the house. It was raining when I got up this morning and continues as I type this. This dry season is a sham.

Some odds and ends in the OC include this NOID hard-cane Dendrobium with a couple of flowers of exceptional color. Bring these pics up to full screen and enjoy.


The transfer of the Vaughnara [Vnra.] Fiftieth Anniversary into the sponge pot must have been successful as the first bloom has opened.


Jim

Yes, good sign that the buds didn't abort!!
love that red Dendrobium too!! Nice shape also!