"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."

Competitive flower shows are a lot like Conan the Barbarian. Orchid hobbyists that talk like members of Thulsa Doom's cult, plants with names like 'Sorcerer's Apprentice,' and the occasional bloom beheading are all part of the experience. It's natural and obvious that violent scenes from Conan should race through my mind when I see my plants adorned with award ribbons. Right?

On the other hand, my "enemies" are likely my friends from the Orchid Society, or the vendors from whom I shop, or the nice folks from out-of-state Orchid Societies. I'll see most of them next month, if not sooner, so the "see them driven before you" thing doesn't quite ring true. And the "lamentations of their women" line seems as weird and inappropriate as it did in 1982. 

So, maybe the Conan/orchid comparison needs more thought.

Griffin, Sabine, and Riley guarding the Brassavola

Although I have no tongue for it, my pleas to Crom were answered and my Brassavola Little Stars 'Yasuji Takasaki' had a great run this winter (check out Sabine's maintenance of it last year). It won Plant of the Month at my Orchid Society and a blue ribbon for the Brassavola class (and a white ribbon for specimen plant) at the Kansas City Orchid Show. Whoo! The last two flowers opened today and I've instructed the kitties to tend to it until next year's adventures.    

Bean Bumping the Brassavola

As everyone in the Cats and Catts community knows, Bean's favorite day is watering day.  Although I don't have a pre-established watering day, whenever it is, Bean will be there.  She has a certain fondness for the Brassavola Little Stars 'Yasuji Takasaki' (B. cordata x B. nodosa) I purchased from Birds Botanicals in the first week of December.  Sabine especially likes to bump into it repeatedly (see above).  

We're fans of the Brassavola, too.  Although most of the flowers are entering their endgame, for several weeks the perfume filled the room after dark.  Sometimes, I would walk past the room and get hit in the face with the lovely scent.  I love this plant!

So, during of our discussion of Brassavolas I asked Sabine about their award history.  She has catnip toys to play with, vanilla to scout for, and a nap scheduled -- but I've tasked her with this important duty and I expect a report in a couple of days.