Chris, a Catt in a 2.5in. pot is going to be years from blooming. I've hardly had any of my little ones like that survive to maturity long enough to bloom.

Plus don't forget anything you buy online is going to cost you for shipping, unless like Kawamoto they include the shipping in the price. The shipping itself is also a stress on the plant, and we're getting into hotter weather, so not much longer before you are taking a big risk buying plants that must be shipped. I've had plants cook in the box in less than 2hr. sitting outside my door in springtime.

I'd wait until after Mother's Day and see what bargains you can find locally. You'll spend less and get a lot more in the long run. Make a special trip to Lowe's!

I agree if you want to see it blooming in your life time. I would buy a plant in bloom or in bud. These are teensy and they might be doomed before you see anything flowering.

Chris, why don't you check with the Heart O' Texas Orchid Society in Austin? (512) 413-3199. They can tell you of orchids that do well in your area and recommend vendors and upcoming shows. It is a good idea to seek local advise before ordering plants. All of us have different growing conditions.

Jim

You took the words right out of my mouth Jim. A local orchid group, and there must be several in that triangle between Houston, Austin and San Antonio, would be your best bet.

All my orchids with very few exceptions were bought mostly at shows and a few at local nurseries. Over the years I've gotten to know which growers I like and have luck with and those that I look at but don't buy. And you can't beat a local club for local info

Ted, Do you belong to one? We have so many different Orchid societies here in OC I wouldn't know how to choose one, if I were so inclined. It definitely wouldn't be the Cool Grower group.

Long time ago was the South Bay Orchid Club. I lived in Torrance at the time, and some years ago I visited the Southern California Orchid Species in Placentia And a meeting or two at the Orange County Orchid Society, Inc. in Yorba Linda. Both pretty close to me here in Brea. But with the new business all time was spent at making it go. Now 7 years later I can breathe a little and get back to things like clubs and posting with you guys again. It feels good.
http://www.socalorchidspecies.... is a really nice website

That is indeed a great site, Ted. It would take quite a while to go though all that is there. Thanks.

That would be a bit far for me. I've thought about Newport Harbor...they meet in Costa Mesa, but I'm not really a joiner.

I'm not much of a joiner either but now I'm the president . All that aside, it is a great place to pick up orchid supplies as well as nice plants. We have a speaker or a major activity each month so you learn some things to boot. We have a pot luck after the meeting which is yummy and the best part is I get to see Lindsey!

Jim

I am definitely not a joiner, either. But after months and months of 'near misses' I am going to the meeting on Monday night with Patty. I suspect I might find some kindred spirits there, and probably people I already know as well. I don't think there's a pot luck at this meeting. Since it starts at 6pm, I wonder why not? Hmm. This is exactly the kind of thinking that gets a "non-joiner" into the President's shoes, Jim.

I have a new bloomer that I haven't shown off yet. Nothing compared to Chris's gorgeous flowers, but this little Phal is finally opening - this one yesterday, and another maybe tomorrow?

That's going to be a nice Phal., Elaine.

Jim is trying to teach us how to address him in his new role as Tampa Orchid Club president...you have to say it in a Spanish accent..and the way he demonstrates it ...he sounds vaguely like Ricardo Montebahn...with his rich corinthian leather!
I'm definitely not a joiner...but had to out of necessity , not knowing a sole in my new home. . .
best choice I could have ever made!

Hmm, you could try addressing Jim as simply "El Jefe' at the next meeting, Lindsey. Fidel's not using that one any more, but anyone at the meeting of Cuban descent would be amused, I'm sure.

You know what they say about Garden Clubs, last one in is the next president.

I seem to rise rapidly in the ranks of non-paying positions.

Jim

dyzzypyxxy said:I have a new bloomer that I haven't shown off yet. Nothing compared to Chris's gorgeous flowers, but this little Phal is finally opening - this one yesterday, and another maybe tomorrow?

That's beautiful Elaine. I love the way the rose color fades into white and the yellow and white lip.

Same for me, Jim. I wonder why?

Elaine, nice new bloomer!

Some yellow blooms this week - I was waiting on the Dendrobium jenkinsii to open all spikes. This one looks to me like a miniature version of lindleyi/ aggregatum.

And this is a yellow Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata, Kibana Furan. Some say this is perhaps a hybrid of Neofinetia falcata x Asctm miniatum.