Dear Orchid Friends:

The 51st Miami International Orchid Show was spectacular! The Miami Orchid Show was a large show with grand displays showcasing the 100 years of Miami. Displays included "old Florida"/Everglades scenes, historical settings, tropical gardens, Miami skylines, old beach scenes, and a 'paper moon' theme. Phalaenopsis and cattleyas dominated the show, with Paphiopedilums second in command. Every color of the rainbow was present.

One cannot mention all the beautiful displays, so here are just a few:

Soroa Orchids took 1st Place (300 sq.ft.) in commercial displays. An "old Florida" setting was complete with a small pond and a gorgeous painted backdrop highlighting paphs and phals.

R.F. Orchids was awarded 1st Place and Special Award for Artistic Merit for large commercial exhibit. A lush and brilliant garden of vandas, cats, phals, in reds, oranges, yellows, pinks surrounded an old "conch" house. R.F.Orchids received the Species Trophy for Bulb. spiesii 'Robert' CHM/CCM/AOS, large pendulous flat leaves hanging downward with magenta flowers in clusters - an unusual specimen. R.F.Orchids was also awarded Blue Vanda Trophy (V. Fuchs Delight), a light violet with dark violet overlay, spotted. The flower is 4" x 5".

Carib Plants took 1st Place (400 sq.ft.) for a lush portrayal of a true everglades atmosphere with an authentic wooden canoe and thatched hut. Orchids of yellow, orange, magenta, pink provided a tropical sunset glow. A real beauty! Carib Plants was also awarded Yellow Phalaenopsis Trophy (Phal. Zuma Aussie Delight), sunset yellow with coral and a magenta lip - a subtle blending of colors.

MGR Orchids gave tribute to the Barefoot Mailman and was awarded 2nd Place Display.

Daisy Farms took 2nd Place for a picturesque display of docks, waterfalls and paphiopedilums.

Gold Country Orchids showcased a display of paphiopedilums that were so shiny they resembled polished wood carvings. They were awarded Oncidium Alliance Species Trophy (Baptistonia Echinata), a basket with 21 inflorescences (flower spikes) with 2,334 flowers of yellow and brown. The plant was 2 1/2 feet across.

A new feature of the show was the Hobby Class display which promotes the orchid hobbyist. First Place Hobby Class went to Godfrey, Curtis & Maxwell for 'Afternoon Tea at the Barnacle' as well as Special Award for Artistic Merit. Billie and Jack Lentz took 1st Place Hobby Class (50 sq.ft.) with a quiet pond surrounded by orchids and alligators.

Other Awards: Individuals

• First Place Dendrobium:
  Den. C.K.A. 'Oka' AM/AOS by Norman Tatar, rust & yellow flower spikes
• First Place Dendrobium and James R. Kelly Award and Special Award Dendrobiinae Trophy:
  Den. Violet Yamaii by Joan & Tom Lindsay; light violet with dark violet overlay of 40 inflourescences and 185 flowers (wow!)
• Special Cypripedioideae Trophy:
  Paph. Dragon Bronze by Joe Brzoza; large full whitish, pale yellow paph with brown stripes
• First Place Vanda:
  V. Margret Wincott by Tim & Gayle Nance; large coral/peach flowers with yellow hues
• Second Place Cattleya:
  Blc. Orglades Cat's Eye 'Taylor's Peach Delight' HCC/AOS by Joan & Tom Lindsay; a peach/mauve flower, buttery!
• Second Place Cattleya:
  Blc. Ojai 'Verde' by John Gemaske; lime green petals with brown on lip

South Florida is rich in history and orchid cultivation. Many of our native orchid species are threatened or gone today, but they must have been breathtakingly abundant many years ago. One can only imagine what Florida looked like 100 years ago.

There is so much beauty of such a grand scale at orchid shows. As one develops an interest in orchids, one notices and admires the beauty of individual flowers: the colors, speckles, stripes, the delicate hairs. I am always amazed how Mother Nature can devise such artistic color combinations.

Orchids can be a hobby or a passion. But they will always reward you with a lifetime of beauty and pleasure. Keep growing.

Until next time-

Vivi

Again, I'd like to welcome the American Orchid Society to the Web.

Review my March 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Cultivating Vanilla.
Review my February 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Cultivating an Interest in Orchids.
Review my January 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article on Phaelonopsis Culture.
Review my December 1995 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article on Dendrobium Culture.

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Last updated April 3, 1996

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