Busy orchid weekend, and very satisfying. I dropped by John’s
greenhouse on Saturday, an impossible place to leave empty-handed.
Among my purchases was this lovely Burr. Nelly Isler. Burrageara is a
hybrid mix of Cochlioda x Miltonia x Odontoglossum x Oncidium. I find
the star shape of the flowers very attractive – they remind me of the
warm-growing miltonia’s.
Sunday I attended the SOOS (Southern Ontario Orchid Society)
Christmas party at the botanical gardens. I had to talk myself into
going, because I was sure I wouldn’t know anyone. It turned out to be a
lot of fun, my "coming out" so to speak. I ran into Wendy and her Mom,
and had a great chat. During the orchid auction (an annual fundraiser),
I learned that the woman sitting beside me was none other than Inge
Poot, and I had a chance to thank her in person for identifying my
stanhopea. And I finally met Jocelyn Bertrand of Beaver Valley Orchids,
a wonderfully funny and charming guy who, as it turns out, lives in my
neighbourhood. I have a feeling we’re going to be fast friends.
By the way, Beaver Valley Orchids has a new website address: www.beavervalleyorchids.com
From
now on I won’t be shy about going to the monthly orchid society
meetings. The January meeting should be interesting; the speaker is
Eric Christenson, one of the principal characters in the Phrag.
Kovachii drama.
More of my recent acquisitions, all from John Marcotte with the exception of the big oncidium, which I picked up at the meeting:
Two oncidium equitants: The pink, ‘Voraratbelle’, and the yellow, Midas ‘Willow Pond’ AM/AOS Equitants are small, compact plants with fan shape leaves — easy to squeeze into a brightly lit spot among my plants. Here’s a good link to information on equitants and other types of oncidiums.
This is a beauty I picked up at the show: Onc. ‘Golden Sunset’ x Onc.
onustum. Unlike the equitants, this is a big plant, with pseudobulbs
and a very tall spike. The skirt on this plant is very striking.
And finally, a picture of my phragmipedium Sedenii ‘Blush’. It’s
been in bloom for a while now, but I never get tired of it – it’s such
a pretty sight in my grow room.
Today marked the tail
end of my weekend orchid adventures. I picked up an orchid for a friend
at the meeting, a truly spectular Oncidium Aloha Iwanagara ‘Golden
Showers’ in full bloom. Because I was to meet my friend right after
work, I took the orchid into the office today, ensuring an admiring
visit from every single person who passed my door. It took me a while
to realize that people thought I was responsible for all the blooms —
no no, I bought it that way!! Too late. Now I have a workplace
reputation for being some kind of super duper orchid expert. I’m more
of a duper, not so much super.
I was an even bigger hit on the
subway — dozens of people stared and admired, and one dear lady
overcame her shyness to ask me how to fertilize her orchids, just as
the doors were opening at my stop. I gave her some quick advice over my
shoulder as I exited the train, then was escorted to the escalator by a
short fellow in a construction helmet and vest, who wondered why the
roots were hanging out of the pot. He seemed very interested in my
explanation, and gave me a big smile as he said, "Thanks! I learned
something new today".
So now I know what to do if I’m ever in
need of being the centre of attention… ride the subway all day with a
big orchid on my lap.
POLLENATRIX 