Day 1 of Orchid Show

[Traci]

I went to the orchid show in Louisiana today with my partner, David. I showed incredible restraint I think especially since when I couldn't make up my mind at first he offered to buy all three that I was looking at. THE ONLY thing that stopped me was that I am not sure how much time I will have for large numbers of orchids while in med school- although I am still shaking my head that I turned down more orchids. Almost came home with a Vanda but did not because the only suitable place I have is hanging under the oak tree in my front yard and I am afraid it would be stolen as someone DUG UP a tree out of my friend's yard during the middle of the night and stole it! The Vanda basket could simply be snatched down. I also fell in love with some oncidiums but until I can grow phals to rebloom I won't branch out. Anyway we both loved this Sin Yuan. I have attached pictures. Being that right now I have a rootless phal I LOVED the roots on this one.

[78Terp]

Nice!
Maybe if the rootless wonder sits next to the new heavily rooted phal, it will take a hint and get with the program!

[Traci]

Thanks Harvey. I'm sitting here laughing at your comment with my glass of wine and half tempted to try that . Hadn't thought of that. If only the rootless wonder could learn. The dealer on this plant told me that he should have repotted it last year so it is due but the roots are just so pretty inside of the pot and out. The rootless wonder is in the fish tank with Saran Wrap in the other east window we have. Of course I will repot it after the blooms are finished.

[silverstoli]

Very pretty. And amazing roots!! So, is it strange that I admire roots as much as the blooms now?
MK

[Traci]

Thanks no it is not! I love some roots on phals. Looking at the roots on the vandals at the show I just wanted to clap and give them a round of applause. My rootless wonder was in trouble when it was purchased for me I know now because looking at old pictures of it it had dying roots. I just dint know any better.

[silverstoli]

My RW also had issues when I got it, but I knew nothing and added to the problem. The office building I work in has Orchids changed out monthly at the Guard Station and in the Management office. The plant company throws them away, so the ladies at the management office usually give me one every month or so. I've killed a few, given a few away and have the RW and 4 more that have been repotted and in various stages of recovery.

Today I brought home a beautiful White Phal with two very tall stems with 6 large flowers on each stem. The plant and blooms from the bottom of the pot to the top is about 33 1/2 inches tall. The leaf span is about 16" across. It has some root rot. I cut slits and holes in the flimsy pot and pulled out a little moss around the rotting areas. I will repot it this weekend, but the roots that were black are now dried and tan. Opening up the clear pot and getting some air in there helped a lot in just a couple of days. One of my co-workers thought I was nuts when he caught me cutting open the pot and pulling out moss. I had a mess all over my desk - lol!

[Traci]

I hate to see plants just thrown away like that. I would have been the same as you pulling the moss out all over my desk. I was a teacher and once hid a pregnant cat that we found on campus in my science closet until the end of the day when I could take her home. In the middle of class one of my students exclaimed, "ms b you have a cat hanging in your closet window." I turned and the cat was hanging in an empty pane half in and half out. I said ," I was hoping no one would notice the cat." They all laughed

[Orchid-Newbie]

Lovely Phal! I really love the color.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Wow, what healthy looking roots and a beautiful color on this phal.

cheers,
BD

[lijun]

hi again traci,.. always love seeing massive roots ...... i'm still thinking about the vanda though,.... how to make no one steal the vanda and the tree where it hangs.... what kind of person dug up a tree and stole it? is the person still on the loose?