WOW! So we went to Soroa, Carib, Whimsy's, and Motes. They all had a lot of beautiful orchids, but the only place I found anything I couldn't live without was Motes Orchids. All Vandas. Ok, seriously Martin Motes is an artist breeder. All of the Vandas he had blooming were exceptional, and most of them were absolutely stunning. And many of them were surprisingly fragrant. I only bought one thing, and it was by far the most inconspicuous little bloom, but WAIT... don't judge me yet! The fragrance of this one only has one competitor, in my opinion, and that would of course be Onc Sharry Baby. It smells like some kind of extremely sweet fresh fruit, not fruity flowery, just sweet fruit. I don't have a big growing area, so I only buy plants I know I am absolutely in love with. Wow, the fragrance on it. I so wish I could post the fragrance like a picture, but alas I cannot.
I forget the name, but I know it's a primary hybrid: V tessellata x V cristata (spelling may be off). I will post pics of my new Vanda in another thread once I take the pics. Overall, I am deeply impressed (seriously, no words) with Dr. Motes's handiwork with breeding Vandas, and he and his wife, Mary, were absolutely a delight to meet and chat with. Anyhow, here are some pictures from today.
Soroa Orchids:
Motes Orchids: