A Symphony of Orchids

Laela rubescens var. 'alba' Walter

Sarasota Orchid Society presents its annual Orchid show,

A Symphony of Orchids

this weekend at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

I feel like a 'stage mom'.  But first, let me tell you how I got to this place in my life.  In early December, the Orchid Society had a dinner/auction.  I eyed this beauty before dinner and decided I would definitely make a run at it in the auction.  When the bidding got to $50 dollars, I opted out.  My husband, who usually complains about the care and feeding of my orchid family, slid $65 dollars over to me and said, "go for it."  And I did, and I got it!  When paying for it, the grower came up and asked if I would please enter it in the show in January as she was sure all 12 stems would be open by then.

I have never entered a plant in the show so decided this was a way to start, with her tutelage.

Cattleya Volcano Trick Fireball

In the meantime, one of my favorites was covered with blooms so I decided, why not it too?

Then the preparations began.  All of the paper thin 'silk' had to be removed from the stems.  The

blooms were secured to stakes with bits of green wire.  Both stake and wire are not be obvious when looking at the plant.  Then I washed the leaves in a mixture of whole milk and water.  This gives them a nice lustre and isn't harmful like leaf shine products.  Last, I had to find a basket to hide Volcano Trick Fireball's mossy pot.

Last night I watched one of those Tot Beauty Paegent Shows and thought," There I am, getting my girls ready for a beauty paegent."  Will they win???  Who knows, but this is a new adventure for me

(and my two girls).
Bring on 2013...I hope there are lots of new adventures in it for everyone!

"Orchids by the Sea"

I love Phrags and Paphs.  This color caught my eye.

Lovely artwork as well as planting supplies
and of course orchids are available.

E

Each display had it's winners.

Today is the last day of "Orchids by the Sea", the Sarasota Orchid Society show and sale.  It is an amazing event.  Orchid Societies from the southwest Florida area create amazing displays that are
judged and awarded.  Orchid suppliers provide an incredible assortment of plants available for sale.
Then there are books, artwork, planting supplies and plant display supplies available.  It is just a perfect place to spend a few hours and enjoy the beauty of these amazing plants.  After hours members of the Society enjoy a catered dinner amongst the displays.
I was a "worker bee" on Saturday but managed to come home with some Aliflor, charcoal and fungicide (in anticipation of spring potting) and a dear little specie,  C. Walkeriana, Semi-Alba Carmela.  It has a wonderful scent.   I also got a tiny bit of a vanda.  I have never grown these so this will be a bit of a challenge.

Sarasota Orchid Society Auction

Every year our orchid society hosts an auction.  The orchids are supplied by growers that participate in our annual show in January.  It is the very BEST place to shop for orchids.
Last evening close to one hundred orchid enthusiasts gathered to bid on the plants they couldn't live without.  Bidding started at five or ten dollars depending on the size and type of plant.   It is so much fun!  You win some and you loose some and everyone goes home with something.  I waited all evening to bid on Paphiopedilum Macabre (right top).  Because some folks had left by then, I paid $22.00 for it.
The second plant down is Blc. Marge Putnam.  It will be a large plant, not exactly what I need on my small lanai but I loved the big flowers.
The third down is another Blc. Doctor Joe Walker 'Cotton Candy'.  It has a wonderful fragrance and is a gorgeous flower, don't you agree?
The fourth down is Blc. Meditation x California Girl.  Do you see a pattern here?  I am a sucker for cattleyas.  This too has a scent
And last but not least (and I promised myself I would not buy a Phal.) is Phalaenopsis New Cinderella.
It is the same color as a plant from my Mother's collection.  It died after 14 years of regular blooming.

Money raised from this auction goes for research.  It is a totally enjoyable evening for everyone.  Thanks to the growers that donated so generously.  I hope everyone will 'rebloom' their plants next year.  

Orchid care in the fall.

Sunday is watering day for my orchids.  Because it rained last week, I haven't really looked at them for a couple of weeks.  Did they have a surprise for me!  There are buds everywhere popping out of their sheaths.  My dendrobiums have been beautiful but are on the downside of their bloom.  Now the cattleyas are getting ready to burst forth.  The orchid is a wonderful plant.  It likes to be ignored provided you keep bugs to a minimum.  I use Neem oil for that.
The first Monday in December is the annual Sarasota Orchid Society auction.  I can't wait.  It is an opportunity to bid on some different, healthy orchids.  Last year I bought three and all are alive and well today.  Wonder who will be joining us this year...