When we were down in Miami for the Orange Bowl two years ago (the hotel was in North Miami), my wife and I drove down to Homestead one day to visit several orchid nurseries. Talk about an agony-drive. Driving through Atlanta and then onto Charlotte for the bowl game (and then back) this year wasn't much better though. It sure makes me appreciate living in a small college town. I used to complain if it took me 60 seconds longer than usual to drive from one side of town to the other. After making those "big-city drives", I don't complain any more.

We "country folk" really are spoiled. Three cars at a light are a traffic jam around here.

This is not my plant - although I certainly wish it were. A good friend recently received this as a gift and it is in full bloom now. It is a Catasetum.


I am so jealous.

You have traffic lights? That's a metropolis! Great looking orchid there, Alice.

Alice, that looks a lot like the ctsm. I just bought at the show last weekend...that I am anxiously waiting for the blooms to open! LOVE those 'black' flowers!

Patty, do catesetums have cultivars? I know absolutely nothing about them and my friend's plant came w/o a label.

I always look out for the Pacific Orchid Expo in San Francisco. This year it will be on Feb 26-28, 2016. My chance to ogle on all the lovely orchids I cannot grow But I do get one or two. I try to behave and consider my space for them.

I bet that's a really huge orchid show.

Good afternoon all. Wondering if anyone here have ever visited the Orchid show at the NY Botanical Garden in the Bronx, NY. The date for the 2016 show is Feb. 27- April 17, 2016. Thinking about going to view the beautiful blooms and plants since I am about 50 minutes by public transportation from my apartment. Quite sure to pick up growing tips and to see the orchids that everyone talk about up close. Plan to make a list and take photos.

Ivy

I think that would be a great outing, Ivy. Being so long, this must be some sort of exhibit rather than a sanctioned AOS event. But regardless, you are sure to see lots of beautiful flowers.

I think the key here is public transportation! You will surely enjoy your visit and not having to find a parking space is definitely a bonus!

Sure wish I could take public transportation to some of the shows - hey, might even go to one in Miami if that was available!

I got a big box of lovely plants from Hawaii today. Got an orchid I've been wanting for years - Arundina bambusifolia. The plant that arrived is lush and healthy and ! ! in spike ! ! Even though it's just in a 3in. pot, it looks ready to take off. Seems like a genuine bargain for $8 plus shipping (which was quite reasonable for 8 plants)


Will post the others on the "Let's see what else . . " thread, since they are not orchids. Oh, I guess we need a new one for this new year!

Love the foliage on Arundina bambusifolia - darnit! That's another one I'll have to add to my list of "wants"!

I visualize a beautiful tall bush with tons of blooms as we saw in Ecuador! Gorgeous!

That's what I visualize too, Ursula. But I need to find the right spot for it, first. Moderate light, cool and moist, and I'm wondering if I can put them into the ground, to compete with my oak tree roots. Seems like I will err on the side of caution and sink a pot where I want them to be, then remove the pot and plant them when they are big and lusty.

Meantime, all those Hawaiian plants will be indoors this week, because it's not going to be exactly tropical temperatures until at least Friday. Highs in the 60's and lows into the 40's - true Florida winter at last! Giving them some good sun and water today so they can stand being in the orchid spa.

Is this what you just got, Elaine?
This was at Bok Garden and was very impressive as you entered the garden.

Lindsey, I have two Arundinas and put one in the ground and one in a pot right beside it. After a couple of years, the one in the ground was twice the size of the potted one. I have now put the potted one in the ground too.

Great field trip yesterday to the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. I will post on the tropical thread and put a link here.

Jim

Yep, that's what I've got, too. Guess it can be in the sun, and in the ground too, huh.

It says in the plant's description on the site I bought it from that it will not get quite so tall if grown in more sun . . wow! Not quite so tall sounds like a good thing.

this plant was HUGE!

They won't bloom well in shade and they get tall and spindly.

Jim

Anyone ever hear of a mini Onc? I've got a couple of mini Phals, but saw this Onc Twinkle "Pink Profusion" on ebay and thought it might be fun. The plant is much smaller than I expected but looks healthy. It's got 3 spikes so it should bloom soon, but I imagine the flowers will be really tiny



This is what it's supposed to look like in bloom: