Sunday, April 29, 2012

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!


 

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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.