Hey Folks...I've had an extremely busy yet fun month...well maybe the whole year, but I'll focus on October.
During the first week, which actually started with the end of September, I was invited to speak at the Tampa Orchid Club. My talk was titled "
Vanda Culture 101". I had a great time at the club and was also invited on a tour of June's Orchid Estate, which was fantastic. If you get a chance, I suggest a visit there.
The following weekend found me in Washington DC, helping to judge the National Capital Orchid Society Show at the National Arboretum (I am now beginning my second year as an AOS student Judge). It was a fantastic show at one of Washington's most beautiful areas away from the Mall.
The next weekend found me in Homestead, Florida. This was to create a table top display at the east Everglades Orchid Society Show, "
Cascades of Orchids". This was a two-trip weekend because I needed to be there Thursday to set up the display, Friday was judging, and then a return on Sunday to tear down the display. It was all worth it, as I "
took home all the loot", as quoted by my friend Tom.
I didn't judge the exhibits because I had a vested interest, but I can say that there were 10 exhibits all together, 7 of which were put on by commercial enterprises. During judging, I did walk by my display and saw the blue ribbon with a nice trophy for First Place! There was also a gold ribbon on my B. Little Stars, which was one of the focal plants in the display on the upper right (in the photo it is cut off). I was really excited to see these as my friend Judy and I put a lot of work into the display.
Later on during AOS judging, the Judging Chair for the show announced that the AOS Show Trophy went to an 87 point scored exhibit, "
Aphrodite's Falls", and he turned to me and handed me the trophy with a hearty congratulations on both the trophy and an AOS Silver Certificate! I about fell off my chair I was so thrilled to be granted such an honor!
The next thing I know, my B. Little Stars has also been granted a trophy for Best Cattleya Alliance in the Show, and I also received a trophy for the EEOS International Orchid Show 2010 Most Artistic Display Depicting Show Theme. Things just kept on rolling, which is why my friend Tom made the comment he did!
The two pics are of the display itself just prior to judging, and then one of the trophies, from left to right:
- EEOS Best in Show Exhibit Trophy and ribbon (crystal etched with Cattleya vase).
- AOS Show Trophy for Most Outstanding Orchid Display (solid crystal).
- EEOS International Orchid Show 2010 Most Artistic Display Depicting Show Theme Trophy (17" blown glass mounted vase).
- EEOS Best in Show Cattleya Alliance Trophy and ribbon (crystal etched with Cattleya vase).
That wasn't the end of my orchid adventures in October, but it was certainly the most exciting.
I hope you enjoy my story and pics!
East Everglades Orchid Society Show Display, Aphrodite's Falls
Those trophies are gorgeous and I just LOVE that one in the middle 
I'll try and check in more often, but I've learned to not make too many promises being as busy as I am. 
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