We seem to not be the only confused species!!!!
Nice to experience different hummers. Now all you need are the rufous, magnificents, broad-billed and tailed and calliopes to round things out. Do you ever see the violet crowned? I used to go to a place to see them in AZ.

The Rufous pass thru on their way north, but I can't tell the difference between them and the Allens. The others you mentioned don't come this far north....yet

There was ice in the fountain this morning but I could easily break it with my fingers. I'm guessing another 30 degree night just like the one last week. Most of my bedding plants were already dead from from the last one so not much additional damage. My Christmas lights and blankets should have been enough to pull the important plants through this minor freeze. There was lots of frost though so I expect at least some additional damage.

My Ctsm orchids are losing their leaves and going dormant right on schedule. My plan is to move them over by the phals, cut back on the watering and repot at first sign of growth in the spring. Any additional advise is welcome.

The earths warming and cooling is caused by variances in the sun. It has been happening since the beginning of time and will continue no matter what. The additional rhetoric gives politicians an excuse to impose a tax on it. That's all I'll say on the matter.

Jim

Wait to water the catasetums on a regular schedule when new roots have grown to an inch or two.

Thanks here too....

If anyone would like noid phals, I got a mess of them today...for $1.00 each
you can have them for postage. There are white ones, with a smidge of yellow on the lip,
white with the pink lip, and many dark purple with stipes. Just send me a note with your
address.

Nice of you, Lindsey!

I have a couple of questions and this seemed like the place to ask.

First, when when my shoes were smoking in the midst of the Vanda racks at Apopka, I ran across a Vandaceous orchid labeled "Chtra. Luang Prabang". I bought it just because I had no clue what Chtra stood for. I've found it stands for Christieara which seems to be Aerides X Ascocenda X Vanda. That sounds like what was left over from an experiment gone wrong. I did find a picture of Chtra. Luang Prabang and it is lovely so no harm done. The question is do any of your sources give the parentage for this orchid and do you have more information on Christieara orchids?

Secondly, I saw a picture of L. Purpurata Crownfox 'Flares' and it blew me away. Has anyone heard of it and can you give me a hint as to where to find it?

Jim

regarding the Christieara Luang Prabang -
it is registered with the RHS
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/horticu...
Aerides lawrenceae x Ascocenda Tubtim Velvet

If one checks out Ascocenda Tubtim Velvet
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/horticu...
Ascocenda Jenny Donald x Vanda Kultana Gold

one can now plug these parents individually at the home page into the Grex box
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/horticu...
and see where they lead us.

For the fun of it I typed Christieara into the AQ page, there is quite a list of Christiearas which won an award with the AOS
http://www.dev.aos.org/aqplus/...
The long list doesn't show up in the link, but just type the genus into the box again and hit search on the bottom left of the page. Tons of Award winning Christiearas.

More later...

That was fun!!!!

Once this AQ site is totally out of the beta stage, we most likely have to pay for it, but in the meanwhile it is free.
http://forum.theorchidsource.c...

About the Laelia purpurata - I typed into the same AQ site Laelia purpurata Crownfox and it comes up as L. purpurata var carnea 'Crownfox'. Nothing about 'Flares' - if I didn't miss it. And it is very pretty!

Why did the AOS decide to not give awards info to OrchidWiz?

Kathy, I honestly have no idea. There seems to be some politics going on in general, but my eyes always glaze over when I come across this stuff.

Same here!

Reference the L. purpurata, See: http://www.rforchids.com/frame...

Jim

Nevermind the flares; look at the light edge on the lip!!!

I know, I know! I'll call them to see if they have one available for sale.

Jim

I see! So the 'Crownfox Flares' is still missing from the list on the AQ.

Nice blooms! It is a beauty!

I just spoke with R.F. Orchids and think I can answer our questions. L. purpurata 'Crownfox Flares' is a one of a kind and just won the AM/AOS award. It is for sale at $500. If no one snaps it up, they may put it into production. I hope they do.

Jim

Ahhhhh!