Over the Rainbow

Cyp. parviflorum v. makasin 'George Ferguson'

Phrag. Bouley Bay (this won an HCC)

  I've recently returned from the Kansas Orchid Show in Wichita. It was a SWROGA/AOS joint operation, and it was totally awesome. I caught a sneak peek of the displays Wednesday evening and attended several talks on Friday.

Thursday morning, I had the wonderful opportunity to act as a clerk for the ribbon judging team entrusted with evaluating slipper orchids. We looked at over 70 amazing plants, including the best from Sam Tsui, a glorious Phrag grown by Dr. Frank Serra, and mind-blowing Cypripediums from Doug and Beth Martin. Some of them won AOS awards.

Paph. hennisianum var. christiansonii (got an AM)

And I remembered to bring my camera!

 

Falling for Phals

Phal. equestris, from the Ron Daley collection

Phal. equestris var. alba

Phal. mannii var. aureum

  The Phalaenopsis is a gateway orchid for so many people, but not for me. I quickly killed the first couple of Phals I owned, and I associated Phals with sphagnum moss problems, grocery stores, and commonness. But I'm a reformed man. I finally see why people love these plants.

I have three hybrids I adore. They have performed well for me and I have positive memories associated with them: Fred's Redlip, Fred’s Pimento, and Nobby’s Amy. The Phal species, however, are really catching my fancy lately. My favorite is an alba form equestris I bought from Hilltop Orchids. I have a mannii var. aureum (from Oak Hills Gardens) that bloomed for me recently. It’s phenomenal. It has only five flowers, but so much potential. 

 Don't be surprised if a few more small-growing Phal. species end up in my collection.