"J Fortuna" wrote in message news:Hs1ad.3812$gd1.3680@trnddc08...
So I went to the NCOS orchid show (in Washington DC) today and had a
marvelous time. I hope to return there on Monday, but then I plan to focus
primarily on the exhibits, whereas today I just shopped. I bought the
following:

Phal Mystik Isles '311' (Zuma Zip x Pink Mystik) -- a gorgeous branched
small to medium sized Phal with the sepals mostly white with light pink
veins, and petals mostly pink due to dense pink stripes, and a pink lip.

Paph Amelia Hart 'Alexandria' -- my fourth Phaph, and the first sequential
Paph that I got; I have sequential Phals and really enjoy their progress.
It's got one bloom and two buds. The vendor told me that this kind might
even have up to twelve flowers in sequence. This plant is potted in this
weird perlite mixture that looks like soil but isn't. I am thinking of
keeping it in this for now, and see how it goes, but I will keep observing
it and repot into a more familiar medium if needed.

Lc Tokyo Magic 'Hihimanu' x Slc. Fire Fantasy 'Hihimanu' -- my first Lc or
first cattleya like orchid ever. I am all excited. I hope it won't grow to
be too big for under lights culture, but the vendor thought that it would be
ok. It's not in bloom (they had a sample one in bloom), but it's got one bud
in sheath and another sheath that's just starting. It's supposed to have a
fragrance, and the sample plant looked really nice, though it is not a
mericlone and thus the vendor warned me that this one may not look like the
sample plant after all, but I decided to risk it.

Oh, and I got one Phal at Brennan Orchids. It doesn't have a tag right now
(maybe it got lost at the show or in my car?). It's got big white flowers
with pink dots on them and a bit of a flare on the edge of the petals. I
bought this plant for my friend Sally as a birthday present. She's got this
beautiful huge whole-wall South-East window that's slightly shaded by trees,
and that looks to me like a good place to grow orchids. And she is an artist
who greatly enjoys nature in her life and art. I am especially glad that
Brennan Orchids sells Phals in moss, since I really know how to determine
how to water in moss and I can explain this to Sally. Maybe I will help
bring about another orchid addict? :-)

Oh, and I got more potting supplies. I don't really know why I got these
shudder. I am a menace.

Joanna

I am so jealous. Told my sister about the show. She flew to MO
instead. We ordered some plants delivered here. We'll split the
order between us and she'll take half back to DC. I got her hooked
this spring. I really did want her to take in a show though.