Redland Orchid Fest?

[SaraJean]

So my hubby mentioned planning a little weekend trip to the Redland orchid festival this year as a birthday present for me (he is very supportive of my orchid habit, lol). What we are trying to figure out is the timing, although he will probably be at the beach anyways.. I would love to go all three days and hit up the lectures and classes after I do most of my shopping and browsing on the first day. They have not posted info on the classes yet but have any of you been to those? Are they usually worth it? I know that’s a very general, subjective question so what has your experience been there?

[Paul]

Have never been there though I really would like to someday. Have heard it is amazing.

[Subrosa]

I'm hoping to be able to get the time off to take a friend up on his offer of a place to stay.

[bethmarie]

Can I send you my contact info, in case you ever get tired of your hubby?

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

Can I send you my contact info, in case you ever get tired of your hubby?

well, there are times..

So I just decided to go the full three days and get there a day early to relax. Probably will be staying in Miami so he can be close to the beach and I can take the car to the show. Now I’ll can just spend the next 2 months drooling over the vendors and trying to get a pre-order together

[estación seca]

I strongly suspect all the vendors will bring stuff that isn't on their pre-order list. Be Prepared!

When I went to the Tamiami Festival this year I took one tiny carry-on with some scraggly clothes, and a big empty one. I was fully prepared to dump the old clothes if I needed more plant space. It all fit.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I strongly suspect all the vendors will bring stuff that isn't on their pre-order list. Be Prepared!

Oh dear well that’s good to know!

They must have just released their list of lecture sessions over the last few days, it looks pretty good and I’m glad I’m planning on going all three days. The ones that I am most interested in are on Dendrobiums: Section Callista, Laelias of Mexico, Guarianthe skinneri, Brazilian bifoliate Cattleyas, one class each for pests and diseases (which is always helpful), orchid species for south Florida (since we have somewhat similar climates), and growing award winning Vandas.

I am ESPECIALLY looking forward to the lecture on Vandas. I have yet to be able to bloom one and have killed 2 of my 4. I left them out this winter out of spite and did not feel bad about it. The annoying part is that I have several friends, coworkers and neighbors who have purchased one, asked me for my limited advice, I’ve told them what to do (water, fertilizer, bright light, and no, they do not grow in dirt- please take it out of the ground), and then they have excitedly texted me several pictures over the years of the darn things blooming.....

[estación seca]

I bet you discover you're not watering and fertilizing your Vandas enough.

Who is giving that lecture?

[Paul]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I bet you discover you're not watering and fertilizing your Vandas enough.

Possibly also a light issue.

[SaraJean]

The person doing that talk is David Genovese

And you’re probably right. I think I need to start watering them like I water my Cattleyas that I have growing in lava rock- water once, finish watering the rest of my collection, make some coffee and water those Catts again