OSA Show 2008 (3)

Cyp. parviflorum var. pubescens (top 2), Phrag. besseae, Paph delenatii.

OSA Show 2008 (2)

Phrag. Lutz Rollke, Paph. Lippewunder, Paph. concolor, Paph. Ho Chi Minh (delenatii x vietnamense), and a Paph. complex hybrid whose name has escaped me.

OSA Show 2008 (1)

The OSA orchid show and sale took place the weekend of Feb. 23-24 this year. I took pictures of some of the amazing slippers on display there. In order from top to bottom: Paph. bellatulum, Paph. Satin Smoke (micranthum x primulinum), Phrag. Eric Young (besseae x longifolium), Phrag. April Fool (Cardinale x schlimii), and Phrag. Schroderae (schlimii x caudatum).

A Refined Hobby

After several months of inactivity in my orchid growing hobby, I have removed some of my unwanted and damaged plants (from the frost in the fall) and replaced them with new ones that I've always wanted. As well, I am cleaning out my growing area and relocating it to an area where it will be easier to maintain. I have also decided to grow only slippers now, and will be focusing on Cypripediums, which are becoming more available in my area (finally!).

This past weekend featured the always-popular Orchid Society of Alberta (OSA) show here in Edmonton, and as always I was an avid attendee. I managed to make a few plant and supply purchases, one of which was an unlikely one: a Mexipedium xerophyticum (more on that later). The show had quite a good turnout and there were some fantastic plants both on display and for sale.

Another couple of great purchases I made at the show were some rare Cypripedium seedlings: Cyp. reginae f. albolabium (the white form) and Cyp. californicum, an amazing multifloral Cyp from Oregon and northern California. This is the only Cyp besides the Central American species (which are not in cultivation) that has multifloral inflorescences. Some pics will follow!