Well back in July I visited the Peterborough International Orchid Show. This is held as part of the "East Of England" agricultural show each year.
I went on the friday when some orchid societies were still setting up, because I was busy the rest of the weekend. I got there early and just loved watching people set up, and being able to talk to the vendors who were not yet too busy to spend time chatting about their orchids and care of orchids
The place was SOAKING wet. Rain was hammering down and when I got there the marquee for the orchids was starting to flood in places. One society was busy moving from their allocated spot to a spare bit of space in the entrance because their spot was flooding. By the time we left in the afternoon it we were wading around most of the place... but it was not as bad has the food hall marquee next door!
I don't have any photos of the floods, but while I was spending time talking to vendors and admiring all the orchids from the societies my hubby was busy with the camera.
I've posted just a selection here, but you can see all of them on my Flickr page.
Peterborough Orchid Show - a set on Flickr
These orchids scattered around the entrance belonged to the society in the process of moving their stand. I quite liked seeming them just sitting around like that.
This Thunia Gattonensis sitting amount them was MASSIVE. Such an impressive plant.
The Orchid Society of Great Britain were still setting up, but I always love their stands. There are more close ups on the Flickr link above.
Disa Reheat from the above stand. I bought a cheep keiki of one of these from one of the vendors. Not sure yet if I can grow it, but we shall see. There are quite a few other Disa pictures on my Flickr link.
I'm not really a jewellery person, but I thought this was cool. It's a real orchid flower encased in a resin and turned into a necklace. They had others as well, broaches and necklaces.
A really cool looking mount which was even better in seeing in person. They were being displayed but were for sale if anyone was interested. Above my price range though.
Quite a few Dactylorhiza around the show. This one was x grandis/
So many great masdies from this vendor. Loved this display and there are quite a few close ups on my Flickr link. I bought a small plant of the big one at the top of the display. Now is the challenge to get it that big!
A stunning Den farmeri 'Pink'. I was rather tempted to buy this as he didn't want that much for it, but I already had my hands full at that point.
A stunning Prosthechea Prismatocarpa dominated one end of this display.
Cymbidium Dorothy Stockstill 'Forbidden Fruit' - all I could think on this one was WOW!
Well that's just a selection of the 102 photos on Flickr from the show. See the rest from the link at the top if you are interested.
I had a great time despite the wet, and really want to go again next year.