The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show, Part 1

Whether you are an orchid collector or admirer, The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show is a treat for the eyes each year. I took over 160 photos and the ones I've chosen are just too great in number to show in one post so, I'll have to break them up into groups in upcoming posts. The theme of this years show is Brazilian Modern. The above pond is in the entrace to the conservatory and the display always features different Orchids seeming to float in planters on the waters surface. This year, the beautiful mosaic art piece shown is being used as a focal point in the display.

A beautiful striped Phalaenopsis.

A lovely lavender corsage Orchid.

These beautiful cascading baskets are actually chandeliers (with lights) made from different varieties of purple Orchids. There were 4 of these beautiful pieces in the main display room. I would imagine they look gorgeous at night when they are lit.

This is the main display room with a pond surrounded by Orchids, the 4 chandeliers and in the back, a piece of modern art.

Dendrobium "Karen" also known as the cane Orchid.

Dendrobium "Eima Pink".

Cascading Orchid baskets are everywhere.

Miltonia, also known as the Pansy Orchid.

To see more Orchid photos from our previous years of attending this show, just visit my "out and about" section to the right. More to come...........

A Day Trip To Parkside Orchid Nursery

If you love growing Orchids or just want to spend a couple of hours in a lush, Orchid filled environment, Parkside Orhids in Ottisville PA (Buck's County) is the place for you to go.

Parkside has 5 greenhouses for all their gorgeous Orchid Species. To me, a trip out to PA to visit them is similar to a kid getting to run wild in a candy store for the afternoon. They are absolutely my favorite place to buy Orchids. You cannot beat the selection at Parkside and there is always someone around to help if you have questions.....THEY KNOW THEIR ORCHIDS!

In addition, I've had wonderful luck with regards to reblooming from all their Orhids. If you are not lucky enough to live close by or within driving range, they have a wonderful mail order service as well, that will deliver beautiful blooming plants to your door.

You can visit Parkside on the web..... http://www.parksideorchids.com/ for more information. Tom and John own this incredibly beautiful nursery and whenever I have had questions and e-mailed him for advice, Tom has always gotten back to me with helpful Orchid tips or suggestions.

A couple of months ago, I wrote to Tom to ask what species of Orchid I might want to move into after years of enjoying growing Phalaenopsis. He advised me that Oncidiums and Lady Slippers would be a nice progression for me and so yesterday, armed with Christmas money, I purchased my first Oncidium and Lady Slipper Orchids....I also couldn't resist one sweet Phalaenopsis that I saw as well and I came home with 3 new beauties.

I'll be showing my new purchases in the upcoming weeks, as the buds start to open and the beautiful blooms appear. For now, I hope you'll enjoy the small photo tour of Parkside Orchid Nursery. I hope it will offer you a bit of a respite from the cold winter blues. Enjoy!!!

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show '08- Close Ups

As it turns out, I lied when I told you I would show you the Orchid show in 2 posts, I now realize that I have to do 3 posts to cover all of my favorite photos. This post , as promised, will feature mostly close-ups. As I started looking through all the photos again, I realized there are just way too many gorgeous close-ups to show at once so, you can expect more eye candy photos in the upcoming weeks. The above is a hanging basket of Miltonia (The Pansy Orchid) specifically Patricia Marie Linares.

I just love the Pansy Orchid, one of my all time favorites. There were also lots of beautiful Vanda Orchids this year, another favorite and I'll be showing those next time. This Orchid is Pacific Cloud....gee, I wonder why?

Close ups of the beautiful hanging arrangements.

I loved some of these photos so much that I created products for my new website with them. I used some of the Pansy and Vanda Orchid photos to make mugs, framed tiles, jewelry boxes and coasters. The images came out so crisp and beautiful on the products.

As we were walking through one of the rooms, we came upon this Dendrobium species, hanging right above our heads. I had to get some overall shots and close-ups of it.

Finally, a pretty group of Phalaenopsis Orchids, sharing a big pot. What I really love about the Orchid show is that they nestle the Orchids in with all the other tropical plants that are a staple in the conservatory. It makes for such a beautiful display.

In other news, in the next few weeks my new and shall I say.....much improved website will be up and running. I have to thank my husband Chris for this because he is doing it all for me and is very talented with web design. Another plus of this scenerio is that he works cheap. : )

Also, in the upcoming weeks, look for a new line of original "seed packet" art on masonite board. I'll also be turning these paintings into cool shirts and tote bags....a fun adventure.

Rosy Tyke Phalaenopsis Blooms

About a month or month and a half ago, one of my Phalaenopsis Orchids started growing a spike. It had been a year and a half since this pretty little Orchid last bloomed. Just a few days ago, the first flowers started to open and they are so beautiful, with their pale white/pink colored blooms.

This is a miniature Orchid, meaning the blooms are miniature, it is called Rosy Tyke. I should be enjoying these blooms for the next two months as this is such a long blooming species.

I have 9 Orchids at home now and it is always such a thrill when I see a spike that wasn't there just the day before, peeking out, because I know in a month or so, I will start to have some beautiful blooms.

You can expect lots of Orchid photos in the upcoming weeks because soon I will be going to The New York Botanical Garden for their annual Orchid show, which runs this year from February 23rd - April 6th.

If you live in the area and can go or you are visiting, it really is worth a trip to the botanical garden, this show is full of Orchid eye candy displays, like you wouldn't believe. To see a couple of my other visits to the show, atleast a sneak peek at what I could fit into a blog post, go to my "Out And About" secion in the column on the right and you'll get to see some of my other visits.

This year while I'm at the show, I'm buying another Orchid to get me up to an even 10 and also a shirt from the 2008 show. I wanted a shirt last year and just didn't get one and once you pass up a shirt from the show, it is gone once the show is over....darn it, I regretted not getting one. I love to collect tee shirts from my favorite places so, this year it's a must.

For more information on the show, you can visit their website at:

http://www.nybg.org/ ENJOY!!!!!!

Orchids In Bloom & New Miniatures

I wanted to post some photos of two of my Phaleanopsis Orchids that are currently in bloom.

This one is such a beauty, it sits on the side of my house, just inside one of my sunroom windows. "Kaleidoscope" has been blooming for 2 months now.

Since my move is next week, I haven't had any time to really paint anything at all, including orders. I've been spending my time moving my garden up the street and then most recently, trying to get the inside of our new house painted before any furniture gets there. I did make some time for some recreation painting for myself and painted 2 new miniatures. Well, I was at the garden center again a couple of weeks back and saw a table full of African Violets. I've decided to buy some to go on my diningroom windowsill. Seeing them at the garden center inspired me to paint the African Violet pin above. As always, the background is done in watercolor and the African Violets are painted in acrylic.

With this little pin I tried something different, I created the background using a thicker application of watercolor. I attached little porcelain roses and pearls . I had thought about painting a design around the edges but I felt it stood on its own without that. Both are available on my ETSY site.... http://www.eleganteggart.etsy.com/

This beautiful Phaleanopsis sits on my work desk and has also been in bloom for 2 months now. Pretty soon the last flower will be falling off.