I checked out your pics to see if we got any of the same shots. Surprisingly (or maybe not) we really didn't. One of the only things we both got a picture of was that white milt with the peach and pink spots. Also, that pale lavender pink phal that almost looked like a vanda flower. I was happy to see you got the name on that one. I was curious. Anyway, it's fun to see what different eyes pick up as photo worthy. I enjoyed the show too. It was my first time to Longwood Gardens. Did you see the seller's tent next to the big room? I went there first, because Andy's Orchids was in there. Literally no elbow room, but good to see some of these orchids in person. In the main room, I ended up looking specifically for the vendors I knew about already: Oak Hill, Parkside, and some others I can't think of off the top of my head. But I ended up spending all my money at Oak Hill and Andy's. I agree that some of the sellers were trying to take advantage of the people who didn't really know what they were doing and didn't really know what was a good price for what they were getting. But it was worse at the Philadelphia Flower Show (granted, it's not an orchid show) where all you could really get were phal hybrids, dend hybrids, paph hybrids, and catt hybrids. Nothing wrong with any of these, but not really my focus. And if you didn't comparison shop, you could easily end up paying way way too much. So I enjoyed the chance to see the more unusual stuff for sale, in person. Like multiple vendors offering Aerangis fastuosa and Angraecum didieri, for example. Excellent. I have to say, I was more than a little amused to see that I walked out with four orchids, only one in bloom with minute orange flowers, and all four able to fit into one little plastic bag, compared to the people walking out with huge flowering purchases spilling out over large bags. I almost felt I didn't really buy anything. My wallet could tell you differently, though. (Ha.) Thanks for sharing your album!

Arthur, it's a 2 sided coin. The strength of a large group allows them to do things that we would like to imitate but cannot. They offer 2 programs each evening, one for beginners and one for the more advanced growers. When we have a speaker talking about Draculas, Masdies and Pleuros, I gringe as I know that 90% of our members cannot grow these things. Other than general interest, a talk like that has no practical value. The raffle plants carted home by people have a low survival rate. The San Diego society has a subgroup of species enthusiasts who meet separately. As many as 30 experienced species growers create a stimulating experience. San Diego has the only huge group I am aware off, I suspect most other metropolitan areas follow the LA pattern of several smaller groups. When the large society puts on a show it's a thing of beauty, our shows are nice but amateurish in comparison. I like our intimate medium sized society but I also see the benefits of a strong group. I guess you cannot have both. In my immediate area, 4 societies are spending 4 speaker fees every month. If that could be combined we could afford to go beyond the local talent and import notables from further away. If we could cooperate to the extent were we would rearrange our meetings to be back to back, that would also help but even that is not possible. Each group's specific night is set in granite as they have met that particular evening for 30 years. Nick

Hi Stitz, Thank-you for your kind words. It was my first time in Baltimore. So, I don't know the Baltimore area very well, but it was in the same park as the zoo (which I'm editing photos from this evening). Druid Hill Park(?) It was combined with a palm house and parts were under renovation. We almost left without seeing the orchids, because the normal entry was closed. It was free to get in, but they suggested $2 for donations. More than worth it. Here's a view from outside: I'm glad to hear they're being enjoyed and it looks like you could make the trip too. Brock

This thread has made me come out of hiding. Years itÂs been. (I was streetmorris, now zotcat.) Anyway, the four best orchid sights for me have been finding Cyp. arietinum and Calypso bulbosa in the wild (thatÂs two!), visiting New World Orchids for the first timeÂlight, warm rain, all the Neofinetias outdoors with many of them in bloom, and I have to include catching a glimpse of a tall and perfect Paph. malipoense in Fox ValleyÂs "stud room" with just a bit of late afternoon light hitting it the first time I visited said nursery. All of these species are consistent showstoppers for me personally. Great choices from all though! I LOVE angraecoids and grow manyÂno brainer in the beauty category, though I remember seeing my first Angraecum didieri and its diamond texture in a wardian case at a Michigan Orchid Society show more than any of them I think. Showstoppers can be minis for me, clearly. Very jewel-likeÂI also have to mention Masdevallia ignea for that reasonÂit does in fact look like a small flame.