2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale, Part 2

Continued from Part 1.

Thwaitesara ‘Angel Sound’
Thwaitesara 'Angel Sound'

Here’s the second round of photos from yesterday’s visit to the 2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show at the North Carolina Arboretum. There are the flower portraits, the closeups and other details, of the stars of the show.

I’m ignorant of orchids. I tried to take photos of labels so I could identify the flowers later. But the labels weren’t always so obviously associated with the plants. I transcribed the names as best I could. So take any names provided here with heaping teaspoons of salt.

Unknown Moth Orchid
Unknown Moth Orchid

Some kind of ladyslipper
Unknown Beauty

Pharg. ‘Ashley Wilkes’
Pharg. 'Ashley Wilkes'

Detail, Flower Arrangement
Detail, Flower Arrangement

Another unknown beauty, perhaps a Cattleya relative?
Unknown Beauty

Moth Orchid, Dtps. ‘Elmore’s Pink Silk’
Dtps. 'Elmore's Pink Silk'

These little guys look just like Turkish dervish dancers to me
Turkish Dancers

The name on the label was Paph. JulisRothschildianum ‘Eureka’ x Lowii ‘Princehouse’ AM/AOS. I guess this is a hybrid of two “Paph.” (Paphiopedalum?) varieties. Anyone want to translate?
Paph. JulisRothschildianum 'Eureka' x Lowii 'Princehouse' AM/AOS

I’ll close out with two detailed portraits of two amazing orchids.

This is a detail of Phrag. caudatum, some kind of ladyslipper orchid.
Phrag. caudatum

That’s beautiful enough. But check out the lateral petals. They’ve evolved into straps hanging down over 18″ on each side of the bloom.
Phrag. caudatum

Here’s a view of the entire plant. I can’t imagine how one would even transport such a thing
Phrag. caudatum

It’s a little hard to pick out from the mass of foliage surrounding it, but the hanging basket (seated, in this setting) in the center of the photo contains a specimen of Chamaengis harotiana. You can see this won First Place in something.
Chamaengis harotiana

It doesn’t look like much at first glance. Let’s take a closer look.
Chamaengis harotiana

Hard to appreciate it, so I put my fingertip in the photo for scale. Ten of those flowers could fit on my fingernail.
Chamaengis harotiana

Related Posts

2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale, Part 1

2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale, Part 1

Display Room of the Western North Carolina Orchid Show in the Education Center of the North Carolina Arboretum
Western North Carolina Orchid Show

This morning I attended the second day of the 2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale at the North Carolina Arboretum. Although I’ve gardened outdoors for many years, I cannot keep a houseplant alive. I certainly haven’t ventured into the Orchid world. My experience of an event like this is much like how I describe myself going to Sunday services: like a dog in church. I enjoy the sights and scents for their own sake, and have no interest in tapping into the deeper religion of the event.

So here is my report from today’s visit, emphasizing the visual experience, which was more than satisfying to this orchid-ignorant gardener. This first part gives the overview and most of the exhibits. When I get home I’ll be able to filter through the flower portraits for Part 2.

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

The event was sponsored by the Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS). The event was held in the Education Building of the North Carolina Arboretum. Specimens from WNCOS members occupied the central display. All of these photos are from the members exhibit, taken from different vantage points around the room.

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Displays from vendors and other orchid societies covered the perimeter of the room. The vendors tables themselves occupied two other rooms.

Carolina Orchids
Carolina Orchids Display

South Carolina Orchid Society Display
South Carolina Orchid Society Display

Ironwood Estates Orchids Display
Ironwood Estates Orchids Display

Marble Branch Farms Displays
Marble Branch Farms Displays

Elmore Orchids Display
Elmore Orchids Display

Orchidview Orchids Display
Orchidview Orchids Display

Carter & Holmes Display
Carter & Holmes Display

One thing that struck me – and I wonder if others have the same impression – is that orchid society seems to be disproportionately male. If one were to judge the demographics of gardeners by that of its bloggers, one might come up with a distribution like this:

  • 70% women
  • 30% men
    • 15% straight
    • 15%gay

It’s hard to say what the breakdown would be at today’s event. Men seemed to be in the majority, at least while I was there. As for the rest of it, I would not presume to infer. I’ll just say that the orchids weren’t the only eye-candy on hand today.

Links

Program and Exhibitors for the 2008 WNC Orchid Show and Sale [PDF]
North Carolina Arboretum
Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) [Note: The site was completely unavailable when I wrote this post.]

Outside Clyde

Anemone blanda, Outside Clyde
Anemone blanda

This afternoon I had the pleasure of visiting with CC of Outside Clyde. I’ve been following his chronicles witnessing the succession of growth and bloom on the resident gardeners’ hillside. This is just my small contribution.

There’s no single vantage from which you can take in the entire hillside at once.

Daffodil Hill
Daffodil Hill

The trails wander and intersect organically, having evolved over three decades of clearing, planting and gardening.

Over the hill, through the woods
Over the hill, through the woods

The trails are rough, and steep at times. But it pays to stop often and look around, and up, and out.

Daffodil “Rip van Winkle”
Daffodil "Rip van Winkle"

Narcissus, cyclamineus tribe
Narcissus, cyclamineus tribe

Possibly “King Alfred”
Possibly King Alfred

Shelf fungus
Shelf fungus

Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria

The threatened thunderstorms never materialized. CC’s site is adjacent, and we hiked along another trail to get there. There was only a sprinkle of rain.

Lichens
Lichens

Old foundation
Old foundation

Last year’s Goldenrod
Last year's Asters

Claytonia
Claytonia

A lovely afternoon.

Persephone Rises

The Return of Persephone (1891), by Frederic Leighton (1830–1896)
The Return of Persephone (1891), by Frederic Leighton (1830–1896)

The vernal equinox of 2008 occurs at 05:48 UTC on March 20, or 01:48/1:48am my time, after midnight tonight. And a blogging neighbor wishes everyone a Happy New Year 1387.

I used the same image above for last year’s Vernal Equinox post. Not that I want to just phone it in. I think the painting is gorgeous. And I like the story of Demeter and Persephone. In comments on last year’s post, Blackswamp Girl (Kim of A Study in Contrasts) expressed discomfort with the story. I responded:

The way I keep the story in my mind, Winter doesn’t occur because Hades is evil/dark/etc. Persephone was not the keeper of the earth. The earth didn’t miss her, Demeter did. Demeter grieved for her loss, and neglected her gardening duties, and that’s why Winter occurs. Demeter rejoices at the return of Persephone, which restores her interest in the world, and that’s when we get Spring.

Related Posts

Happy Vernal Equinox, 2007

Links

Wikipedia:Equinox

Kensington Blogade

2008.03.17: Added more links to posts from other attendees.


The Kensington Blogade
Kensington Blogade

I’m overextended. Too many pokers in the fire. Wearing too many hats. No room for another pig in the sty. (I just made that one up. Blog Widow and I like pigs.)

It’s going to take me most of the week to catch up with my weekend. Saturday I attended Making Brooklyn Bloom at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. And I’m writing a post about that, really I am. But this post is about yesterday’s Kensington Blogade.

We pretty much filled the space at the Old Brick Cafe at 507 Church Avenue, between East 5th Street and Ocean Parkway in Kensington. This was the second-closest Blogade for me, about a 10 or 15 minute walk from my home. (The closest was the inaugural event.)

Kensington Blogade

I was glad to see several new-to-the-Blogade bloggers there. Most I had already met virtually, several were also neighbors. At least two were completely new to me.

Joyce Hanson of Bad Girl Blog organized yesterday’s event.
Joyce Hanson, Bad Girl Blog

Each host chooses if and how to structure the event. Joyce asked each of us attending to present something we had published on our blog.

DSC_9033

DSC_9042

DSC_9060

Brenda from Flatbush, Crazy Stable/A Year in Prospect Park

DSC_9086

Most were readings, but there were also two media presentations, on laptops setup on the bar. My laptop is a heavyweight, or I would have done the same with my photography.

DSC_9049

Tom Hart, HutchOwen

Related Posts

At yesterday’s Blogade, I read Barbara Corcoran Hates the Earth and Back in the Day.
My other Blogade posts
My Flickr photo set from yesterday

Links

Attending:
Blogade Review from the Laziest Girl in Town, Bad Girl Blog
Blue Barn Pictures
A Taste of the Blogade at Old Brick, Brooklynometry
Crazy Stable
Creative Times
Brooklyn Blogade last Sunday, Found in Brooklyn
HutchOwen
Story Time, Luna Park Gazette
Poking My Head Out, Midnight Cowgirls
Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn
Self-Absorbed Boomer
Kensington Blogade, Shellytown
Washington Square Park
Sheepish, A Year in Prospect Park

Weather Alert: Flood Watch Tonight and Tomorrow

Brooklyn Category 1-4 Coastal Storm Impact Zones. Yellow areas are most at risk from this storm, especially during high tide tomorrow morning.
Brooklyn Category 1-4 Coastal Storm Impact Zones

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch which includes Brooklyn starting later tonight and continuing into tomorrow:

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch beginning Tuesday, March 4, at midnight. The Watch is expected to stay in effect until Wednesday afternoon, March 5. Rainfall totals may reach 2.5 inches in New York City, with localized flooding possible, and minor coastal flooding likely at high tide on Wednesday morning.
NYC OEM email alert

New Yorkers should exercise caution, as heavy rain may knock down trees and power lines, and may create hazardous driving conditions. People should avoid walking or driving through moving water, as six inches of fast-moving water can knock people off their feet; two feet will cause most vehicles to float.

Links

NYC Office of Emergency Management:

This Sunday: The Kensington Blogade

This is a reminder that the next Brooklyn Blogade, our mostly monthly meetup of Brooklyn bloggers and community members, will be this Sunday, March 9, in Kensington. Joyce Hanson of Bad Girl Blog is hosting this month at Old Brick Cafe, 507 Church Avenue, between Ocean Parkway and E. 5th Street:

Time for “Show & Tell”: Bloggers are encouraged to be brave and give a reading from one of their best blog posts. Or bring along your laptop and a screen and show us your best pics. Or just tell us about your best post. Please plan to limit your presentation to about five minutes so everybody can have a turn.

RSVP by THIS THURSDAY. See Joyce’s Blogade post for details.

This Saturday: Green it! Grow it! Eat it! at BBG

Fountain and Palm House, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Fountain and Palm House, BBG

On Saturday, March 8, from 10am to 4pm, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts its annual Making Brooklyn Bloom, a FREE day-long series of speakers, workshops, films and resources. Presented by GreenBridge, BBG’s community horticulture program, this year’s theme is “Edible NYC: Eat it! Grow it! Eat it!”

The conference is free; admission to BBG is free with a conference flyer [PDF], which you can download and print from the Making Brooklyn Bloom page.

Register early at the Palm House for workshops. Workshops are held at 11am and 3pm and will include:

  • Extending the Season with Cold Frames, Barry Rogers, BBG; Garden Apprentice Program participants
  • Urban Soil Health, Testing, and Amendment, Uli Lorimer, BBG Native Flora Garden; Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust representatives
  • Edible Landscaping, Patrick Cullina, BBG vice president of Horticulture
  • Savoring Home-Grown Herbs all Year Round, Sandra McLean, Slow Food NYC
  • Grow it Anywhere in Windowboxes and Containers, Jennifer Williams, BBG gardener of Interior Displays
  • Community Composting Systems, Charlie Bayrer, Hollenback Garden; Amanda Hickman, Greene Acres Community Garden; Roy Arezzo, Carleton Avenue Brooklyn Bears Community Garden; Claudia Joseph, Garden of Union
  • Raising Chickens and Bees in the City, Owen Taylor, Just Food; Sarita Daftary, East New York Farms!
  • Best Vegetables and Fruits for Brooklyn, Gerard Lordahl, Council on the Environment of New York City
  • Brewing Compost Tea, Karla Osorio-Perez and Luke Halligan, BBG Brooklyn Compost Project
  • Canning to Preserve the Harvest, Classie Parker, Five Star Community Garden
  • The Sky’s the Limit: Growing Food on Trellises, Caleb Leech, BBG curator of the Herb Garden
  • Integrated Pest Management, Jackie Fazio, former BBG director of Horticulture
  • Seed Starting and Propagation, Solita Stephens, Olympus Garden Club
  • Fruit and Nut Trees in the City, Paul Glover and Phil Forsyth, Philly Orchard Project
  • Sustainable Watering Practices, Lenny Librizzi, Council on the Environment of New York City

Other activities include:

  • View exhibits from New York-area greening organizations
  • Enjoy Willard Traub’s Remnants of the Garden photos in the Steinhardt Conservatory
  • Check out the Gardener’s Resource Center
  • Visit the Exploring Food Systems photo exhibit in the Rotunda
  • Enjoy interactive Discovery Carts in the Garden
  • Visit the Gift and Garden Shops
  • Seasonal Guided Walking Tour of the Garden (1–2 p.m.)