Lindsey, I had to laugh at Jim, when he finally went to the Redlands show. He said he bought most of the orchids there from Rafael of Plantio la Orquidea which is here in Sarasota. So, while I'd love to see all the beauties they will have there, I'm saving my money for the local people, and Apopka. Better value, better plants, shorter trip. (I know, I'm totally spoiled)

Also, we used to race in a regatta every year down in Coconut Grove, and truthfully, I don't miss driving in all that traffic.

A few buds opened up (and are still in that process) while we were in Asheville. The Blc.Greenwich 'Elmhurst' AM/AOS is more beautiful this year than ever. She is now a 7 year old plant and her flowers are 6+" in diameter. A first time bloomer is the Dtps. I-Hsin Sun Beauty and she's a compact. She is way darker purple than the photo obtained from the hybridizer. B. nodosa 'Little Stars' is also a first time bloomer. Rlc. Inspiration is still dazzling after 14 days in bloom and Mary Jo is no slouch after 22 days in bloom. She still is wonderfully fragrant.

Beauties, Ken. Wait a few days then remember to walk out and sniff Little Stars in the evening after dark. You will be blown away by its fragrance. Or maybe haul it into the solarium so you'll be sure to enjoy it?

All my bloomers are in the solarium, Elaine. No matter how many plants that have bloomed over all the years, I still bring in what I can to enjoy them close and personal.

Ohh, I love it, the Dtps has a gorgeous pattern!

I had hoped I would live long enough to see one of these bloom. I have had these for three years. I now anticipate seeing a lot more of these first-time bloomers. I have some cattleya alliance plants that were grown from flask and are now four years old. I have begun to finally move a few into 5" pots. Perhaps............

Elaine, for me , it's a great opportunity to visit with my sister and encourage her orchid obsession!.. There's a few vendors from Hawaii that I'm eager to see what they've got as well as some of the smaller US growers that will be there. The traffic reminds me of Boston.. Luckily, once I get there.. She drives
Lots going on at your place Ken.. I have that 'Elmhusrt' and hope it blooms for me this year.. Gorgeous!

Yes, nice job with the bag baby but as long as I know where Apopka is, I'll save my money for there.

Redlands Sunset is a beauty, Gigi. Nice form and color.

Pretty Jewel Box, Lindsey, and from a bag baby too. Nice Growing

Bad news here in that my big computer has been infected with malware and I have taken it in for repairs. No pics or OrchidWiz until Saturday.

Jim

Not a good thing at all, Jim!

Did All Things Plants just change names to the National Gardening Association?

Jim

It did on my opening page, Jim.

It sure did!! With lots of goodies to explore!!

There is a current thread on Site Talk regarding the change.

In the meanwhile here are updates on my Dendrobium Nestor and the Enanthleya Bob Gasko.

Beautiful, Ursula!

Oooo, Ursula! Love the Enanthleaya Bob Gasko.

Those are lovely, Ursula, and my Den. superbum certainly does smell like raspberries. Wow! I sure hope I can keep it alive.

On the site's name change, does anyone else have an issue with the new name? I just hate it for some reason. It seems boring, and pompous, as well as excluding people from other countries. It also sounds like something you'd have to pay dues to 'belong' to instead of our open, casual, fun atmosphere of All Things Plants. If you do, please post something on the Site Talk thread so Dave can see it? I already expressed my opinion, and at least 6 people mostly members from other countries, gave me thumbs-up and even acorns for my comments.

my first complaint is that my computer did not auto fill my login/signin info and I had to dig around for the super secret password.
One of the plants I got last fall at the Tampa Orchid Show..( happy birthday to me!) has started a new round of flowers...Lc. Tropical Pointer 'Cheetah'


and one of my NOID's that came back from Miami foster care without the tag is just starting to open...and (sadly) does not match anything I previously bloomed or any of the small seedlings I had listed in my journal . The sepals (?) are a pale green at the moment with small freckles on the outside. If anyone has an idea of it's name...I know it's a long shot!

No clue Lindsey, but it's really pretty. I love the Tropical Pointer 'Cheetah' too. That one's on my 'wish list'. Hmm, Mother's Day is coming up soon, too.

Elaine, I wonder if keeping the NGA name was not part of the "deal."

I wondered if that might be the case too, Alice. Sure hope not. I really fear we will lose some of our international contributors just because of the silly name change. I've now received several more thumbs-up and another acorn from people out of country. Commented twice on the Site talk thread, and was politely "thanked" by Dave for my comments. So I have to shut up there now.

If I were still in Canada, I'd definitely feel funny about "belonging" to a National Gardening Association that is a site based in the US.