Observations in Japan

[Diane]

Had a great time considering I was only there for 5 (working) days. I did manage to get to one of the department stores, which is an experience in itself. If you ever go to Japan, you must go to a department store! The most incredible flowers were on display there. 12" pots of the most perfect, incredibly colored cyclamen you have ever seen. Just amazing, and every bloom, bud and leaf was perfect. They wrap each bloom in tissue when shipping. And color combinations we have never even imagined. They were the equivalent of $60 US.

Then came the orchids! WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!! I am going to take the camera next trip (in 2 weeks). I usually don't take it on business trips because I already have so much to carry, but I have got to post some pictures of those orchids. Almost all were Phals, in about 12 to 14 inch containers, 3 or 4 plants, with 8 to 15 spikes per container, all in FULL BLOOM, all trained to follow the same curve, and the spikes arranged so that each container looked like a mini-wall or waterfall of blooms. And colors! Gorgeous Greens with red/orange lips, Spectacular Splash petals of fushia on white! Clear Yellow with orange stripe lips, Stunning deep pinks with solid white lips (Hilo Lip I think they were). Amazing Leopard Prince Diamond Sogo (Ithink), and huge 6 to 7 in wide whites with yellow or orange lips/throats. And the most intriguing peach colored one, no label. And every bloom perfect. Incredible. I thought they were silk till I went up to them. And they had a whole little table full of Irene Holguin Catts in bloom, each plant had one spike with 2 very large, perfect flowers, perfectly positioned on the plant and properly oriented. Just amazing.
The Phals were $210 - $250 US, the Catts $75

And every street in Tokyo, where little shops or apartment doorways were, people had pots of plants out. Life crammed into every space. I saw many cymbidiums among the plants, along with Chrysanthymums (of course) and Camelias.

It was cool, crisp and very smoggy. Made LA look healthy... But food was great (I do like sushi) and the people very helpful. Managed to squeak in a visit to a nearby shrine, it was 3,5,7 day, where children of that age are brought to the shrines to be introduced to their ancestors. There were lots of small girls dressed in beautiful little kimonos being brought into the temple to ring the bell and bow and pray to the ancensters. Quite a sight!

So - I should be back there Dec. 12th, and will make time if possible to get to the store and photograph the orchids.

PS: I have posted the pictures of the plant cart and my Onc. Kahili Big in their respective forums.

[bench72]

Gosh, sounds like you had quite a interesting cultural experience even though it was a working trip! The little girls in kimonos would have been so cute... (one of my fave books is "memoirs of a geisha".. not that everything about kimonos are about geishas of course.. anyways...)

So the orchids have definitely got me intrigued... especially the way they have displayed those Phals... but goodness with those prices...

can't wait to see the piccies of course.

cheers
tim

[mde]

$210-250 US dollars? That is nutty! Sounds like a beautiful display, hope to see some pictures if you manage the camera on your next trip. Loved reading about your trip, thanks for taking the time!

ME

[jenn]

Wow, that sounds amazing! Welcome back. I also loved reading about your trip. I have always wanted to go to Japan. I can't wait to see your photos. I'll bet Daffy was happy to see you when you got back.

[Gin]

I will be waiting for pictures too , The prices would make me want another hobby Sounds like a good business trip . Welcome Back ! Gin

[Tanya]

Ditto to what Gin said, will be waiting for the pics too. Although I may not be impressed by the Phals growing so many in one pot. I suspect florist's work here. They do the same here in HK.

[Lore]

Wow, sounds lovely! I'm glad you had such a great time.