I forgot a couple...

(THIS is what your naked tag should read, Elaine!) @dyzzypyxxy



And this tiny one snuck up on me even when I was looking!

That's so true , Elaine , about the orchids ignoring all our efforts and going on to laugh at us with their flowers. Lot's to look forward to at your house! Spending much of my life in MA, VA and NC where oak trees are plentiful..as plentiful as they are in FL..I just don't recall them ever loosing their leaves all the same time as they do here in FL. what's with that
Patty , need to commision a beaded basket from you to go with my new mini Vanda - like plant..I'll attach a photo of the flower when I get on my desktop.

Lindsey, I think you may have meant ME, not Elaine....those were all my pics!

What color basket do you want & what size? I know exactly what your new mini-vanda looks like...I bought the exact same thing from Rafael when I did his open house! He had one in bloom and I couldn't resist, plus it smelled so good! The pastel-y colors were just beautiful. like a muted little rainbow. This is the plant, isn't it...

Patty, lots of good stuff coming up!!
You still have one of those Pixi Charms, how wonderful!!

We are having an epic Live Oak leaf drop again here. I have traditionally blown the leaves into the beds to naturally break down into mulch but last year and again this year there are so many we'll have to pick some up and get rid of them. We do own an open lot next door so I don't have to take them far. This week many of our normally evergreen Live Oaks look naked but they do have tiny new leaves emerging.

Another unusual occurrence, but a very welcome one, we have had far less pollen this year than we generally have. No one is complaining, it is still over the top for allergies but not nearly as messy as it has been in the past.

Our pollen-days are just beginning, but everything is coated yellow - patio, cars, plumeria, etc. We don't have a lot of Live Oaks up here, but when I lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, they were everywhere, including in my yard. I can never remember them dropping all their leaves in winter, like my pin, water, and red oaks do here.

Patty..my morning caffeine had not kicked in yet!
Yes, that's the plant



I think the small size basket with maybe dark purples, dark pinks, yellows..I'm sure whatever you pick will be perfect!

THFC...Thank God For Coffee!!!

4 inch small or 6 inch small?? Square or octagon?? Preference on hanger/beaded length??

Are you coming to the Spring Festival at Tropiflora on the 31st, 1st & 2nd??? I'll be there...and Alice is coming on Friday...all the way from South Carolina! I get to meet her!

Yes Lindsey, please come to Tropiflora, I'll be there on Friday. Jim you should come too. Elaine is flying off to see her grand child so she will be awol. Who else is in the area??????

Patty,
I think the 6" basket would be a better fit for this plant..maybe 16" on the hanger length. Right now my Frances Fox is in a hanging basket and my 2 little Vanda guys are hanging off that. Friday the 31st is great for me.. Can I bring a picnic lunch and we can all enjoy it under your tent? Alice will you be able to make a kamikaze run to our favorite vendors in Apopka?

Yaayyyy, a picnic lunch at Patty's Place sounds great! I will probably pass on Apopka but we'll be nearby and you never know where or when the car will want to stop........

Believe me... you will want to stop at First Orchids .. especially if you like named variety of Vanda, in spike for $15. NOID Brasavola and Phal for $5-7. NOID Catts $10 and Dens $3.??? All in bloom. Krull Smith, orchids in bloom and a few others open by appt. and the Catfish restaurant is worth a stop all by itself!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your picture Alice! I have been the driver of that car while my son suffered in the passenger seat!

Anyway, I have no idea where they will be setting me up, but if there's room, I would love to host a picnic!

I'll get to work on a basket for you Lindsey...I picked up a few I have to bead before the show anyway. Are you sure you don't want an anosmum keiki...I mean, really, all you have to do is move it away from your bench in November until after it blooms in spring---otherwise it's the same as everything else...

I can't wait!!!!

Thanks Patty, but no...trying to keep my aggregatum dry was enough stress ( on top of home renovations to boot) I just want to treat everyone the same..water at the same time, feed at the same time, throw in the trash can at the same time..wait..did I say that out loud? Having a handful of Dens...a handful of Paphs/Prags...and a handful of asst etc. is more than I can manage..especially with the demands of being retired. I will admire yours from afar.

IGNORING the plants is stressful? Seriously? Hmmm...fertilizing, watering, spraying for fungi & bugs, moving out of summer monsoons, etc is the stress part for me...ignoring is EASY as pie, as a matter of fact it comes almost naturally!!
But no problem...I will keep you stress free and NOT bring you an orchid!

You're hilarious!

Some buds about ready to pop!



First time to bloom C. skinneri 'Heidi Jacobs'



4 buds on what I used to call Pine Knot 'Alba' but now use C . Olivia


Another first timer
Rlc. Perfect Choice 'Purple Lady'
And appearing almost overnight


2 spikes on a plant I bought in bloom last month Sc. Crystelle Smith

Niiiiiice!!

Way to grow there Lindsey!!