A trip to Al's and a nice new Neo!

[Pattywack]

I've wanted to go to Al's orchids for weeks, today I asked my daughter to accompany me and we had an interesting time. It's been hot hot here and waay too humid for me but we went anyway. Temperature was 89, humidity was near the same, the greenhouse was extreme. The fans inside made it bearable so we toughed it out. Geeeez it was sticky!

We had been prowling around for nearly an hour when it began to get dark inside, seemed weird. There was rain in our forecast for later in the day. It quickly became very windy, noisy inside the greenhouse with the skin of the greenhouse flapping from one end to the other. Plants kinda swaying in the wind, creepy. Then the rain came pounding! I've never been inside a greenhouse in a storm. Al was unconcerned and the storm quickly passed leaving the temperature outside at a gorgeous 72!

My daughter found a couple of plants she had to have, I picked up Neo pots and net pots and a beautiful new Neofinetia Yasuri takakuma. The Neo has one spike still in bloom and another spike that has finished its blooms. There are ten fans on this plant.

It was a memorable afternoon to be sure and I got my Neo fix. Here is a couple of pictures of the Neo. As I understand the Yasuri refers to rasp or rough leaves and you can actually see this on the leaves. It has a nice white tiger variegation as well.

[chidlove]

Very nice find! I've read about the 'rasp'leaved neos, but didn't know some had tiger striping. that's so cool!

[Mountaineer370]

That's a very nice Neo. Your description of being caught in the greenhouse is interesting. I'm sure you were safe, but for those of us who have never experienced it before, it sounds kind of spooky!

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

That's a very nice Neo. Your description of being caught in the greenhouse is interesting. I'm sure you were safe, but for those of us who have never experienced it before, it sounds kind of spooky!

Thank you, I'm happy with it and pleased it is still flowering.

The storm came up so quickly none of us expected it, even Al. It was weird definitely and loud! The greenhouse is at his home, attached to it actually through the garage. It is not a huge greenhouse and everything was moving, lol. Al had his iPhone out checking the weather and reported to us that nothing "red" was coming our way.

As we were leaving there was a large limb from one of his trees that had fallen a few feet from my jeep, yikes. I told Al he had some nice new orchid mounts.

All in it was another fun day at Al's orchids!

[Dollythehun]

It can be scary. I was in ours during straight line winds. Too far from the house to make a run for it! But, our footings were in concrete 4' down so, unless the skin blew off, it was safe. Al has probably weathered a storm or two in there and knows what to expect. I love the picture of him with his phone looking for something "red." That's exactly what we would do. Lol.

[Leafmite]

Lucky, lucky you to get to go to Al's! Does he still have as many Phals and Cattleyas that he once had? I would love to have a chance to walk through again but we never seem to have the opportunity to travel south. Just yesterday, I was looking at what Bulbophyllum and Cattleyas he was offering on his website.

We have had some pretty frightening storms where I live and I am glad I wasn't in a greenhouse during them. I am glad that Al's greenhouse is pretty sturdy and you are fine.

---------- Post added at 01:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 PM ----------

By the way, congratulations on your new Neo!

[Pattywack]

Thank you Leafmite! We've had some pretty intense storms here in Maryland as well, this storm was several hours earlier than expected and we were all surprised. Knowing Al has a basement and he was monitoring the storm was a comfort, lol. It was creepy nonetheless. My daughter and I were the only customers there and Al had been yacking with us when it grew dark.

Al had neck surgery about a year ago which resulted in him having to redo the greenhouse. The mass of gorgeous plants hanging above your head creating that Disneyland feeling as you walk into the greenhouse house has been replaced with something that is still breathtaking though scaled down substantially.

He still has many Phals and quite a few Cattleyas, yes. He has more Phals than anything I believe, some he has grown forever. I feel if I were to order from him, I would email him ahead of time and ask if he has something I am looking for. The reason I feel this way is his assortment of Neofinetia is far greater than the few he has online. I love going and spending time there, looking at everything. If I lived closer I would love to work there! Can you imagine?! If you've never read his "about me" pages on his website, it is an interesting read. He has a way with words lol!

---------- Post added at 05:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

It can be scary. I was in ours during straight line winds. Too far from the house to make a run for it! But, our footings were in concrete 4' down so, unless the skin blew off, it was safe. Al has probably weathered a storm or two in there and knows what to expect. I love the picture of him with his phone looking for something "red." That's exactly what we would do. Lol.

Dolly it was more creepy and weird than scary. The sudden darkness was a weird feeling as it caught us all by surprise. I'm sure Al has weathered many storms, even burned down most of the greenhouse several years ago.

Your picture of him with his phone is spot on, probably has to monitor storms closely. I think he thought we were frightened lol. We were too busy shopping and mildly annoyed at the inconvenience. It was a interesting experience!

[Joseia]

Very nice looking plants. I have always been pleased with the plants I have gotten from Al. I haven't been there in a year, but now I'm itching to get a lovely Neo from Al's. Thanks for helping to feed my addiction!

[MattWoelfsen]

Yasuri Takakuma 鑢高隈 does have two features: tiger stripped and rasp leaf--rough textured leaf. I wish I also was close to Al's, but then I'm glad I can't just drive over there and pick up another plant!

Nice plant, congratulations Patty.

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by Joseia

Very nice looking plants. I have always been pleased with the plants I have gotten from Al. I haven't been there in a year, but now I'm itching to get a lovely Neo from Al's. Thanks for helping to feed my addiction!

Al has nice plants, his Neos seem to be his babies. I feel a teenie bit of guilt as I walk out with one of his "precious"!

You should go!

---------- Post added at 08:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Yasuri Takakuma 鑢高隈 does have two features: tiger stripped and rasp leaf--rough textured leaf. I wish I also was close to Al's, but then I'm glad I can't just drive over there and pick up another plant!

Nice plant, congratulations Patty.

Thank you Matt. The rasp leaves are quite noticeable even in pictures. I only wish he had more bean leaf Neos. I just get an itch every few weeks to go see what's new. I had not been in a couple of months.

Oh! I was able to show him pictures of my Seiryujishi in bloom and he was very impressed and jealous. Made my day, lol.