Hi, gals/guys thanks for sharing your pictures. Fin, I love the color and line, the verticle green palm leaves behind white horizatal Phal, very artistic resentation. Hi, Shirley, my goodness, Tx heat does grow beautiful flowers. I was thinking the late summer and early fall is kinda boring months in Chicago, not many flowers out blooming . I was exctied to see my spder orchid bloomed. I love your Catts, large size flower, great colors. What is the name of orchid on your second picture that is pale gren and pink blush on the edge? I love its delicate shape and soft color. All are surely beauties. Fresh-tea, Ooh, I love the purple color, a lots of purple flowers! Your orchid is in such good size, healthy looking. You must have been taking good care it. Molie, I noticed my orchids started to shift blooming time too. I initially thought was due to I divided the plants up, which disturbed their cycles. But some of my established plants seem wanting to flowers earlier. My Twinkles have spikes 8" high now, ready to bloom in a month or so. it usually bloom around Dec-Jan.; My Sharry Baby , two pots bloom in differnt scheduel. One bloomed this summer, and another one has spikes about 6" long tall now. It should bloom in two month around Oct-Nov. They were from same mother plant; is it the sun ray changed somehow, or else. I can't amke any sense out of this crazy blooming schedule changes... Ginnbug, still waiting for yours...

It is a Spiranthes sp. (Ladies'-tresses). Don't know which species though.

Oops, you're right, it is in fact Cyp Emil. For the last few years I thought it was Emeril! It is parviflorum x calceolus. Thanks for pointing that out. Originally it was growing in the vendor's medium - a fairly gritty mix. I repotted it I think into a mix of ericaceous potting compost, fine seedling bark & sand with some more grit. I remember thinking it probably should get something more specific, but that was all I had to hand. Originally it was in a plastic pot, I put it into clay which I use for all my tropical orchids because the weight keeps them in place better. On the negative side I used to grow Cyp. reginae but this died (never came up in Spring 2010), in the same position / conditions / etc so Cyp. Emil must have hybrid vigour or just be less fussy. Winter 2009 and 2010 were much more severe here, than many previous Winters, but Cyp. Emil seems to like it! Having said that I still think keeping watering & feeding conistent the previous year is the key to success. Here is a link that might be useful: RHS Grex search

I grow many of the newer hybrid epis that are more compact with larger blooms. I currently have yellow, red, burgundy, peach, and violet in the compact varieties. I'm looking for white epis - have any of those? If not, what do you have for trade? Thanks