The Orchid Show 2015: My Member Preview Day Visit

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Orchid Show 2015

Happy Orchid Show Opening Day, everyone! I had the good fortune to be able to attend the NYBG‘s annual show yesterday on their member preview day. My friend is a member and was allowed to bring guests, so being the resident orchid nerd of our group of friends I was a shoo-in, along with another friend who happened to be free on a Friday.  🙂 Yesterday marked my seventh annual visit to this Orchid Show! I can’t believe it’s been that long since I first attended and fell head over heels in love with these plants.

I’ve already posted some photos from my visit on The Social Medias, so if you aren’t already following @brooklynorchids on Facebook and Instagram, please do so!

But before I delve into photos from yesterday, I want to share a photo of my own orchid opening at home: my second Phalaenopsis of the year to begin blooming! This guy has been in spike and bud for some time now, so it’s very exciting to see a flower finally open up:

I was gifted this Phal by my parents for my birthday a few years ago.
I was gifted this Phal by my parents for my birthday a few years ago & it’s still kicking!

This year’s Orchid Show theme is Chandeliers, which is intended to show off the beauty and elegance of these plants with plenty of aerial displays. And it did not disappoint! Below are some of my favorite photos that I took yesterday. Please note that I was terrible about taking pics of the orchids’ tags this year, so I didn’t catch most of their names. My apologies for that. Onward…(click photos to see full sized images)

Stepping into the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory on a 20°F day was like heaven—especially when greeted with displays of Phalaenopsis orchids in the reflecting pool.

Phals on display
Phals on display

I must say, pretty as it is, this entryway display is underwhelming compared to previous years. Maybe it wasn’t 100% complete yet, considering the show hadn’t officially opened?

Dark red beauty
Dark red beauty
Oncidium Tiger Crow 'Golden Girl'
Oncidium Tiger Crow ‘Golden Girl’

One thing that was missing was the gorgeous display of green and brown striped Zygopetalums that takes my breath away (and smells AMAZING) every year, but they still had these stunning purple flowers:

Not sure if this is an actual Zygopetalum, but it sure looks like one!
Not sure if this is an actual Zygopetalum, but it sure looks like one!
Orchid chandeliers hanging out
Orchid chandeliers hanging out

I always enjoy checking out what’s growing in the miniature orchid display case. The flowers in the below photo are TINY—I’d say maybe a few millimeters in diameter. This never ceases to amaze me!

Miniature orchids in the display case
Miniature orchids in the display case

This next mini orchid looks like it might be a Dracula…or maybe a Masdevallia? I might be way off on those identifications. Whatever it is, I love it. This flower is probably about a quarter of an inch in diameter. Those translucent petals are so gorgeous!

Baby Dracula?
Baby Dracula, is that you?

Remember how I’ve said you should #alwayslookup when trying to spot orchids? This small plant was attached high up on a tree branch. My reward for spotting it? Those teeny tiny blooms, probably even smaller than the eensy white ones inside the display case above.

Stelis morganii
Stelis morganii

Another orchid spotted while scanning high up—a Dinema polybulbon in bloom!

Dinema polybulbon
Dinema polybulbon

A lovely mustachioed Lady Slipper:

Phragmipedium Les Dirouilles
Phragmipedium Les Dirouilles

The slight markings around the edges of this Phal caught my eye. It’s like it wanted to be a stripey flower but it forgot how to stripe:

Buttery yellow Phalaenopsis
Buttery yellow Phalaenopsis

Dendrobiums always look like they are shouting something out at you!

Chatty Purple Dendrobiums
Chatty Purple Dendrobiums

Much like #thedress (yeah, I had to do it…sorry), the actual color of these Dendrobiums are not as they appear in the photo (though they’re not, like orange and green, or something completely different). They are a much deeper, shiny, rich burgundy color.

Burgundy Dendrobiums
Burgundy Dendrobiums
More Dendrobiums! I was really into them yesterday.
More Dendrobiums! I was really into them yesterday.

Gotta love Cymbidiums and their lush, velvety lips:

Cymbidium flowers opening up.
Cymbidium flowers opening up.
Spider orchids dancing their little hearts out.
Spider orchids dancing their little hearts out.
Rows and rows of orchid chandeliers
Rows and rows of orchid chandeliers. Also, people.

My friends and I also made the requisite stop at the garden shop and made use of my friend’s 20% off member discount. I treated myself to some fun stuff:

Goodies! Dinosaur decomposition notebook, Lady Slipper magnet hand made by women in Thailand, and a plant mister.
Goodies! Dinosaur decomposition notebook, Lady Slipper magnet hand made by women in Thailand, and a plant mister.

Also? I treated myself to a new orchid! I haven’t bought an orchid at the show in the last few years and there have been no new additions to my collection lately, so I thought it was time. I picked out a lovely little Dendrobium Kingianum ($28 regular price, but $22.40 with the member discount) that had one open flower and many, many buds. A second flower has opened up since bringing the plant home. Much to my surprise as I was photographing the plant this morning, I noticed that it’s fragrant! These mini flowers put out quite a strong, pleasant scent.

My new Dendrobium
My new Dendrobium

Closeup of a freshly opened flower:

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Bonus: there are two keikis on this plant! The roots are very short right now, so I’ll leave them attached to the mother until the roots are a few inches long. Then I’ll remove them and pot them on their own. I hope I can keep this cute little guy happy and alive for a long time!

I hope you enjoyed my photos! If you’re interested, you can see my full photo album from the Orchid Show over on Flickr.

The Orchid Show begins today and runs through April 19th. Do not miss it!

 

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8 comments

  1. Wow! These pictures are amazing! I am (more than) slightly jealous haha.

    Just FYI, the one you thought looked like a zygopetalum looks like it’s probably a Zygonisia, maybe Blue Birds or Blue Waters Sailing. I think those are stunning.

    And the one you thought was maybe a Dracula is a Lepanthes telipogoniflora, or as I like to call it, the satellite dish orchid.

    1. I’ve never heard of Zygonisia, but I just googled it and I think it may be my new favorite next to Zygopetalum! 🙂 I also looked up the Lepanthes telipogoniflora and you totally nailed it. You’re so right – it looks like the tiniest satellite dish ever. Thanks for the i.d.’s and for your comment!

      1. You’re very welcome! Thanks for sharing your awesome pics!
        I love the pictures of Zygonisia that I’ve seen. I actually bought one at a show earlier this year…it was really tiny. I just thought maybe it was a miniature. Nope. It’s basically still a seedling, so we’ll see how that goes 😀

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