Orchid Sale and Auction!

Live in the Kansas City area?  If so, don't miss the sale of the year at Bird's Botanicals.  This Sunday, we'll be selling and auctioning from an impressive list of Cattleyas and Phals.  A collection of over 200 orchids was bequeathed to the Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City from a long-time member who sadly passed away last month.  The plants are listed here, and you can read about my last orchid auction adventure here.  I hope to show a little more restraint this Sunday, but I'm not making any promises.

Going Once... Going Twice...

I need to avoid orchid auctions.  The rush of excitement overcomes me and I lose all sense of proportion.  My initial auction strategy was to save all of my Jacksons for the kovachii hybrid. I thought it would make a lovely companion plant for my Eumelia Ariaz.

So, what was I doing bidding for a giant white phal.?  The rational part of my brain said "you don't have room for that!" but another part said "Gor-geous!  Must crush all competing bids!"  Dionysus wins again and (above) Riley poses with the result.  It's a Dtps. Devonshire Charm x P. City Girl.  The hypnotic white flowers are striking but, as I struggled to fit it into my car after the auction, I realized that the plant should be a gift for my green-thumbed friend, a friend who loves plants but is currently orchid-less.  Sorry, Riley.

So, what happened to my plan to go all-in for the kovachii hybrid?  What happened to my quest for the amazing Phrag. Peruflora's Cirila Alca (kovachii x dalessandroi)?  Well, that was before I won the phal., the catt (Blc. Chia Lin 'Shinsu #1' AM/JOGA), and the Mexipedilum xerophyticum 'Oaxaca' CBR/AOR x Phrag. 'Windy Hill' HCC/AOS seedling.  By the time my target orchid went to the auction table I simply didn't have the resources to outbid the other Society member gunning for it.  At least it went to a great home.

With what I had left, I jumped into one last bidding war and managed to snag Paph. adductum 'Dark Cloud' x gigantifolium 'Dark Warrior,' another promising long-petaled slipper orchid from the experts at the Orchid Inn, Ltd.

Although I didn't win the orchid I intended, I couldn't believe the deals.  Next year at the Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City annual auction I'll bring a deeper bankroll and a calmer spirit.  The pretty flower will be mine!
 

Join the Fun Next Sunday Afternoon

The Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City is hosting their annual orchid auction next Sunday, April 18th from 1:30-4:30.  This promises to be a fun way to add to your orchid collection (or start one).  Since the orchid society is a 501(c)(3) organization, buy lots of orchids and save your receipt for next April's tax filing.  There will be some orchids for sale for as low as $5 and $10.  The word on the street is that Fox Valley Orchids, Ltd. will be offering a Phrag. Peruflora's Cirila Alca for the auction.  So, if you live in the Kansas City area, you'll definitely want to mark your calendars for this event.  Next Sunday -- Broadway United Methodist Church -- 74th and Wornall.