Sarasota orchid show today was fun, but quite a bit smaller than it has been in the past. My friend and I each bought one orchid - I got another V. Lou Sneary 'Blue Bird' just because it has been such a good grower for me.
I've been wanting to go visit Palmer Orchids out in Myakka for a while now, and my friend now wants to come with me, so it will probably happen in the near future. They surely had the best selection of different genera at the show. Lots of lovelies. Second picture is a Lycaste cross that has spectacular flowers at least 5in. across. Love it but a little leery of anything that needs cooler weather - given recent weather patterns although today is very cool and rainy.
Our local friends at Plantio la Orquidea had a lovely display of Vandas that really were calling to me. I need a nice red one like these:
They also had this fascinating cross of B. nodosa and L. tenebrosa with flowers nearly 6in. across and such lovely soft shades. The show prices on these really held me back, and I'll wait until they have another open house to get them at a discount. So spoiled from our Apopka trips!
Phelps Orchids and Odoms were also there with fabulous Catts in bloom, and this year there were some really lovely little Tolumnias again, which I haven't seen for the last couple of shows.
Jim Krull of Krull-Smith had his lovely Catts there, too but Whew! were they ever pricey - at least double what we were getting them for last month at his greenhouse. Guess he has to pay for the show fees and travel somehow . ..
Not sure why, but this dusky purple Vanda really caught my eye. Maybe the multiple fabulous spikes . . . and I liked the sensible name.
