Hi from an Oldie Newbie from Massachusetts

[Country Gramma]

Wow, Thanks

Dorothy, Ted, Rosie, Charmaine, and Connie for the welcomes and nice comments on the pics.

Connie and puckpuggy, It's great to see some others in MA.

I don't know, Connie, Amhurst is about an hour away from me. Maybe I could visit once in a while. .

I'm already looking how I could convert an old 40gal. aquarium into some kind of terrarium. There is so much info here on OB that I don't think it would be hard.

I know I'll get more orchids next week in RI so I'm thinking ahead.

Think I'll check the info on Ascocendra to see why my Su-Fun Beauty is not looking so good.

for now.

[golforchid]

A warm welcome to you Gramma (and Connie and Puck) Nice to see all those faces from Massachusetts on the Board. If you can't readily get to an orchid society meeting, you might consider attending AOS Northeast Regional judging which is held the 1st Saturday of each month at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden. The next is Dec. 5th. Programs usually start at ~10:15 a.m., judging ~noon - think of it as Miss America Beauty Pagent for orchids...You can overhear the discussion of what makes a particular orchid awardable (as well get a sense of the personalities and egos of the orchid judges) Glad to hear you're heading off to an orchid show. There's another Feb 12-14 hosted by the New Hampshire Orchid Society at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, NH New Hampshire Orchid Society - Home Page I was a member of the Massachusetts Orchid Society for years before moving to Haverhill which is a bit too far to drive to the monthly meetings in Waltham - but there are, I believe, a number of members in the Worcester area and the current chairman of NE Regional Judging lives in Boylston. Massachusetts Orchid Society Some would suggest that you have been given the gift of orchids in consolation for your losses...whether you believe this or not, orchid growing can give you hours of pleasure (and at times frustration) and an opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

[puckpuggy]

Golf,
Thanks for all the great info! I'll definitely try to get to the NH show. I spent the day with a favorite orchid friend in NJ today. It was the best! Hours of pleasure for sure.

[Grandma M]

Welcome, from one Grandma to another.

Your pictures are great, I especially like the Masd. Do you know the name of it? I seem to be on a Masd kick lately. When I run out of room there is always room for another Masd. I also like Phrags but wow, they are space hogs.

Marilyn (Grandma M)

[Country Gramma]

Hey Puckpuggy sounds like you had a great day . Did you get any orchids???

Hi Golf and Grandma Great info on the Regional Judging and NH Show. I'll definately keep that on the calendar. The orchids are really keeping my mind occupied. That's for sure.

Marilyn, That is Masd. Mary Staal Type. I bought it a month ago at an Orchid show with the 6 blossoms and they're still as nice as the day I got it.



Karen

[puckpuggy]

Karen,
I did get orchids! We did a trade. I got some sprigs of a miniature Bulbophyllum alagense, a keiki of Dendrobium bigibbum ssp. compactum, Vanda coerulea, and Darwinara Charm x V. amesiana. Marilyn, I'm also a grandma!

[Country Gramma]

Wow, That Vanda is really a beauty. Is it blooming or in spike or what? How do you grow Vandas up here? They're too big for my space but some of the Ascos. are smaller and they're vandaceous. Is that a word???
Karen

[puckpuggy]

I have a few vandas, a few ascocendas, and a bunch of vandaceous (perfect word BTW) orchids crossed with neofinetia falcatas (darwinaras, vandofinetias, neostylis). The coerulea came home with me because it hasn't bloomed for my friend in warm conditions in 3 years. I am going to keep it in a cool room this winter and see what happens. All my other vandaceous orchids are in the brightest southern light I have-in 60-75 degrees F(night/day). It is a challenge for most northern growers but I have very good light (big picture windows) or I never would have tried them. I just finished blooming a vandofinetia blaupunkt; I have a vanda blooming and two others spiking right now. Oh, and my Renanthera Nancy Chandler just started opening buds finally after 2 years.