I'm still sorting through the thousands of photos that I took over the weekend
at the Tampa Orchid Expo. I entered 2 plants and got 2 ribbons..and had a great
opportunity to ask questions of one of the judges about what they look for and
tips on what I can do for my next show.
It was a really busy but fun weekend..on Friday I volunteered to help set up the show, Saturday I took photos, and Sunday I did a shift at the front gate welcoming folks to the show and taking their money..later on I helped break down the show. One of our favorite Apopka vendors was there..Pam Waters from Orchids in Bloom.


I bought a bunch of plants from her on Saturday..(all with special prices for the frequent Apopka shoppers) apparently I forgot to take one of them and she made sure I got it on Sunday morning. While talking with her , I found out that she was recovering from a terrible car crash in May..leaving her in great pain ..still..but look at that smile! After I was finished with helping our Orchid Club tear down the show..I saw her still just barely beginning her pack up so I jumped in and helped her out...and look what she pressed into my hands as her van was finally filled..


Blc. Varut Jade x Mari's Song

Such beauties, Lindsey. Being a good person has it's just rewards! Way to go.

Lindsey, that was nice of both you and Pam.

Congrats, to both Jim, and Lindsey! Just beautiful!
And with Elaine, and Alice, Lindsey! What a beautiful reward for being the person you are!

Yes, Pam and Lindsey

Pam is really a nice person. She was at this show last year and we have been to her greenhouses up in Apopka. Nice picture of you Lindsey!

OK, here is what followed me home from the show:
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Susan Fender 'Cinnamon Stick' AM/AOS This is a special buy from Paul Phelps as this is a division of the award winning plant. Yes, it was expensive.


This one is a big plant: Grammatophyllum [Gram.] scriptum 'Timberwood' X Grammatophyllum [Gram.] scriptum 'Phelps Farms'. There was a smaller PB growing off to the side so I took it off and potted it up. Now I have two. By the way, the big one is in a 12 inch basket.


This is a nice bare root division of Myrmecophila [Mcp.] Mary Motes that I just mounted this afternoon.


Another large bare root division called Guaricattonia [Gct.] Lawless Gloriana that I mounted.


Then this nice Angraecum [Angcm.] Crestwood.


Another big plant in this Grammatophyllum [Gram.] scriptum f. citrinum.


I had $6 left so I picked up this fern and a begonia from the garden plant shop:


A couple of other plants I got at last week's orchid club meeting include this division of the largest Oncidium sphacelatum I have ever seen. This guy would haul it to our meeting on a large dolly and beat me out of the bloom table ribbon every time. So, when he finally cut off a chunk of it, I bought it, If you can't beat them, join them.


Then I won this little Bc. Binosa 'Kirk' from the raffle table and I mounted it on this stick.


I think that is all of the new stuff.

Jim

Jim, you got quite a few very nice plants..but I can't wait to see that special 'Cinnamon Stick' in bloom!

Looks like some great loot, Jim. It will be great to see those orchids bloom but wow! I'm amazed at the color on that begonia - Halloween!

Jim, wonderful loot!! Looks like you picked really beautiful stuff!!

Yes, I seem to be at a point where I would rather have one $50 orchid than 5 $10 dollar orchids.

No argument there!

Hm, that's a tough one - but I think I prefer three $3 orchids, put 'em in a basket together and grow a $50 orchid by the next year.

My attrition rate has dropped significantly so far this summer, but I'm not in the clear yet - especially with a hurricane going by towing 3 days of wind and rain along with it. Still can't justify spending big bucks on one orchid, since every time I've done that so far, they have died off within 2 years.

My thinking tonight is that one nice one has to be better than many. I've been hauling plants in all day and my back is killing me now. I was bemoaning having so many containers, why was I so greedy having to have all these plants??? It's a sickness! There are still a couple dozen large and heavy containers outside, I expect they will be fine. It's done now and we'll evacuate first thing in the morning before the worst of the traffic. I think our governor jumped the gun but we have so few roads off the islands and so many low bridges to cross. I figure having done all this work the storm probably won't even come anywhere near here.

Sure hope so, Alice. Safe travels and don't forget, plants can be replaced. Lots of us have "insurance" plants for you if you do lose some of your treasures.

We are all thinking of you, Alice and sending you safe thoughts. Just do what you can and He will take care of everything else.

Jim

Take care and be safe, Alice and all of you in the path of this Hurricane.

I don't envy you , Alice..I know living near the coast does have some advantages..but this evacuation drill is not one of them! Stay dry...stay safe and stay in touch if you can!

, love you guys. Only other plant nerds would understand this nonsense of protecting the posies.

The storm track seems to be a little further offshore this morning, too. Good news if it turns away sooner.

Stay safe, all!