Vivi's Orchid Corner

November 2002 - Volume 7, Issue 10

"Let the Shows Begin!"

Dear Orchid Friends:

The season for orchid shows has officially started! Each year I start off the show season at the Delray Beach Orchid Society Show; this year entitled: "Orchid Fantasy". The show dates were October 25-27, 2002.

The Delray Beach Show is always a friendly venue. Fourteen vendors participated in the show this year. This show is unique in that exhibits are Table Top Displays only. This show challenges an exhibitor's talent on how to put together a table top display. One must limit the orchids that can be displayed since space is limited.

The aromatic fragrance of orchids stimulates the senses upon entering the show area. Colorful pinks, oranges, yellows and magentas provide visual enjoyment. The air is fragrant with scents of Brassavolas and Cattleyas…very distinctive fragrances. Historically, this show highlights species and interesting intergeneric hybrids as Miltassias, Colmanaras, Brassidiums and Brassavolas. Dendrobiums, Cattleyas, Vandas and Brassavolas dominated the show the show this year, which is somewhat of a change. There were many Brassavola hybrids: Little Stars, Yellow Bird, Makai Mayumi, all lovely Brassavolas.

The Old School Square Gym promotes smaller shows. Pecky cypress and a Mediterranean building give a cozy feel. Table Top displays are positioned on the second floor balcony. Vendor's sales areas are separated from the displays which provides for a good attendee flow. One can view the vendors from above and see the wonderful colors of the orchids.

First Place Display was awarded to RF Orchids for "Asian Mystique". RF Orchids… always the Asian flair. A well lighted display highlighted some beautiful vandas, colmanaras and angraecums.
Best Cypridium: Paph. maudiae x Paph. Chiare; lime green cup, top petal green with white stripes.
Best Vanda: V. Yolanda Ulroch 'Crownfox Glow' AM/AOS; a coral, cinnamon flower with tessellations (checkerboard pattern).
Best Species Flower:: Laelia tenebrosa; copper petals, tubular fuchsia lip. (Reminds me of the beautiful Laelias at the 15th WOC in Rio).

Tropical World Nursery's display depicted magic and sorcerers. This display had a great Bulbophylum gameusepallum; petals have cream colored ends with paprika color on upper portion. Kudos for your great Brassavola David Sanders!

Orchids by Del-Rai (a newcomer!) had some interesting orchids such as Zygopetalums, Brassavolas and Colmanaras and Medusas. They showcased a wonderful Coelogyne rochusenii; 4-5 inflorescences with 30 flowers per stem of hanging yellow flowers.

MGR Orchids took second place for their display "Have a Butterfly Fantasy Today". It was a display of Cattleyas and Butterflies. They were awarded:
Best Cattleya Other Than Red or Yellow: LC. Mildred Reeves x C. walkeriana 'Semi Alba'; large white catt with pale pink coloration on petals.
Best Yellow Cattleya: BLC. Alma Kee 'Tipmalee'; yellow petals, magenta lip with yellow veining on lip.

"Fantasy Impromptu" was the title for the display by Quest Orchids. This was a display of Cattleyas and Brassavolas. They were awarded;
Best Red Cattleya and Best Orchid Specimen: BLC. Painters' Brush; striking red and magenta catt, 8 flowers per upright stem, large plant 2 ft x 2 ft.

Albert's and Merkel's display was entitled "The Fairies Jewels" depicted species of Brassidiums, Odtna., Brassavolas. This display of delicate flowers did appear as if Fairies were dancing and the exhibit included Onc. kramerianum, catasetums, Epi. Nutans gongora. A few exquisite hybrids included: BRS. Aristocrat; white lip, mauve petals, and BLC. Ports of Paradise 'Emerald isle' FCC/AOS; aptly named for this lime green hairy lipped catt.
Best in Show: Enc. cochleata, the lovely clamshell orchid.

Miller's Tropicals had a display true to their name and history of the show - wonderful species. Their display highlight: Oseoclates maculate; minute, tiny pale green flowers, white lip. Lovely! Their sales area also focused on species.

Impact Orchids's Display depicted a bamboo motif for 'Borneo Orchid Adventures' with a display of phalaenopsis and dendrobiums.
Best Catasetum Alliance: Ctsm. Jabula 'Urabe'; light brown flower with greenish tinge, cream lip, large plant.

'Spellbound' was the theme for Orchid Acres display. They had some lovely reds: Renanthera Fire Coral 'Meechai'; a brilliant electric red flower. Kudos for the AM Awards for: Renatia Sunrise 'Prasong'; brilliant purple and orange flower with deep electric red lip.
Best Vandaceous and Best in Show: Paraphalaenopsis serpentilingua x Ascda. Tubtim Velvet; cream colored petals with yellow

Third Place Display went to EFG Orchids. This display highlighted deep red flowers of Calanthes rozelle and PC Kryptonite. They were also awarded:
Best Bulbophylum; lovely flower, but unfortunately the plant tag was obscured so proper credit cannot be given.

Special Kudos goes to Hobbyist Vicky Leighty for her Table Top Display. This individual showcased her orchid growing abilities with a mixed display of Dendrobiums, Miltassias. Best Dendrobium: Den. Boon Bryson; curly gold flowers with chocolate (similar to shape of Den. cochliodes).
Best Oncidium Alliance: Fgtra. Everglades pioneer 'Dottie Kone' HCC/AOS; greenish petals, chocolate bars on petals and cream lip. It's always refreshing to see hobbyists entering shows.

Despite the abundance of Cattleyas, cane Dendrobiums, and Vandas this year, one can still find vendors with interesting species: Alberts & Merkel with wonderfully fragrant Howearas, Brassidiums, and Miller's Tropicals with Bulbophylums, Brassavolas, Catasetums.

I was pleasantly surprised at the abundance of Brassavolas and their hybrids. These prolific orchids are some of my favorites and their distinctive fragrance mesmerizes. The show was well organized and vendors had slightly larger sales areas. The flow of attendees went smoothly. The lighting at Table Top Displays is less than ideal; however, it was somewhat than previous years.

It's good to see friends and visit with the vendors. They are knowledgeable and eager to share their information.

Delray Beach Orchid Society Show was a great start to my orchid viewing season. Hope to see you at the next orchid venue!

Vivi