Beautiful ones, Ursula.

Wow, love the yellow. Writing names down to look for them at this weekends show, Ursula

Ted, this is the season for this Dendrobium and lindleyi. You will surely see some in bloom.

Hey, Ted I'm going Sat. morning. Tree mail me if you want to meet up somewhere.

I think we are holding our breath to May 1. ?
......Ursula tiptoeing quietly back out!

(I need to take some pictures tomorrow.)

Nothing new blooming anywhere, I guess? I still have a nice Spathoglottis out in the jungle.

Making my kist for this weekends show. Not enough paper in the house. BTW Elaine, I'm watching "The Gathering Storm"

My dad used to make us watch that film at least once a year. Usually around Nov. 11th, which is Armistice Day aka Rememberance Day in Canada.

Elaine, that pretty Spath. You gave me is finished blooming and sending up TONS of new growth..should I move it up a pot size?
I was going to visit Paul Strom ( aka. Mr. Schomburkia) on Sunday around 11 then maybe take in the open house at Plantio afterwards...do you, Patty or Jim have any interest?

Lindsey, do you mean tomorrow? I'd love to go visit Paul Storm with you. But you might want to re-schedule - the Mother's Day event at Plantio isn't starting until Wednesday. My e-mail from Rafael says it is May 4th to 7th. I am definitely planning to go.

Weather will be cooler by later in the week, too. It gets mighty hot out there in Myakka where Paul Storm's greenhouse is.

Yes, Elaine...tomorrow...oh bummer about Plantio...I must have misread the thing on FOG...getting a visit with Paul was kind of complex requiring a number of emails..so I am reluctant to try and change that with him. His directions started by telling me I would probably be unimpressed. That he was very disorganized with no prices on plants etc. and that I should wear old clothes! If you would like to join me in this road trip..pick a place where we can meet.

I have choir duties at church on Sunday and a ALF concert at 2 PM. It will be a busy week ahead with two talks on Wednesday (11AM and 6:30PM) and all day MG desk duty on Friday. One good thing is that Thursday evening, the 12th, is my last talk before summer break.

Jim

Hmm, sorry I can't go tomorrow Lindsey. I volunteered (they called just an hour ago with "Help!") at the sailing club for a regatta. One thing about Mr. Storm - beware his pricing (especially if he doesn't have any prices on his plants) as I found the prices he posts on his website are really high. More even than show prices from other growers. If you really are "unimpressed" I'd make him a low ball offer or two, and if he says he wants $45 for a catt you'd usually pay $25 for, tell him so. They are snowbirds, and getting ready to head back up north, so I would think he'd be open to offers right now to help reduce his inventory.

Darn, Jim you sure do keep busy. You're just finishing up your talks, and I'm just starting - I give my "School Gardens" and "Edibles" talks in the summer - one in June and three in July - so I get some volunteer hours indoors, out of the heat. I've about given up serving at the Plant Clinic desk which I used to do in summer. Too many days the phone never rings . . . more people research online now, I'm thinking.

That's a good point Elaine, I think everyone is experiencing the same lack of calls. Heck, even when we do get one we often refer them to the internet for additional information. I had one class this morning on gardening for the physically challenged and another on propagation coming up in few weeks then I am off until an advanced MG training workshop in late June.

thanks for the 'heads up' Elaine. I bought a Frances Fox from Rafael for $55....which is usually above my limit. He said in his email that his website is way out of date...so it should be interesting! I will be going to the Redlands Show in a couple of weeks..so if Mr. Stroms prices are crazy high...oh well...I'll leave my money in Miami!

It's very hard not to feel obliged to buy when you make an appointment, drive for an hour, and visit someone's greenhouse, though. I hope Mr. Storm is motivated to give you some good deals.

I paid $55 for my Frances Fox from Rafael, too. Most I've ever paid for an orchid and it died after giving me one flower in 2 years. I'm terribly cheap, and now I like buying the bare-root divisions that Rafael puts out at his sales. They've done well for me and generally only cost about $12 which is a comfortable price for me, considering my attrition rate. Hope to pick up a few next weekend.

My kids are buying orchids for me for Mother's Day, too. So I will have new goodies to show off next week.

55 bucks and then took a dive? I see your point, taking a chance on some reasonably prized bare root plants is always fun anyway.
Ecuagenera always sells his Orchids bare root and I usually take a chance on a plant, if I find a good warm grower amongst his pile of Orchids on the table.

I found a few new blooms out in the OC this afternoon after returning from lunch and a movie with Patty. First is Dendrobium Love Memory 'Fizz' (Dendrobium White Rabbit x Dendrobium Sachi).


I've been keeping an eye on this one (Aerangis punctate X Aerangis luteoalba V. rhodostricta). Ursula, can you find any record of this cross?


Finally, Vanda Brighton's Ruby Jewel (Vanda Doctor Anek x Vanda Simirun)


Jim

First of all - Jim, beautiful plants and blooms!
Regarding the Aerangis cross, it has not been registered. Aerangis punctata is the accepted name according to Kew and the RHS does not list any cross with it.

Thanks, Ursula. That is what I got out of OrchidWiz but it was acting strange and giving me error messages. I just wanted to double check.

Jim