From the Foothills Orchid Society Show, 2013.

More snow and cold and the iciest sidewalks you could ever imagine here in Calgary this week (my boss asked me on Tuesday if I had perfected my triple axel jump during my “skates” to work). Needless to say, I’m eager for some COLOUR! I’ve been going through some of my photos and I came across the ones I took at the Foothills Orchid Society Show in May of last year. I’ve only grown phalaenopsis (moth) orchids and don’t have any experience with the beautiful varieties that were exhibited by these enthusiastic growers and collectors, but I can certainly appreciate these amazing blooms!

Ascocenda ‘Princess Mikasa’

Burrageara ‘Stefan Isler’

Cattleya intermedia var. orlata

Cypripedium ‘Gisela’

Dendrobium harveyanum

Rhyncholaeliocattleya ‘Green Devil’

Oncidium McKenzie Mountains ‘Frank’

Have you ever grown orchids? Which ones are your favourites?

Related Links – Orchid Care for Everyone! (Phalaenopsis)

Posted by:

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Sheryl Normandeau is a writer and gardening enthusiast living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

51 responses to “From the Foothills Orchid Society Show, 2013.”

gardeninacity

January 30, 2014

I love that Dendrobium! Nice to look at the delicate orchids while the snow and wind rages outside.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  The Dendrobium is gorgeous, isn’t it? Fabulous colour!
  
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Born To Organize

January 30, 2014

Aren’t they stunning?

Sorry to hear about the icy sidewalks. I hope you don’t slip.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Orchids always amaze me with the colours and shapes of their flowers, such a huge variety.
  
  We’ve gotten some snow over the past three days which has covered the sidewalks and made them a bit easier to navigate, although there’s pure ice underneath. If it starts to warm up we’re in for it again. I’ll definitely try to take it easy! 🙂
  
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  1. Born To Organize
    
    February 2, 2014
    
    We’ve had very strange weather this winter, even for San Jose. Today we finally got wind and rain, far more typical for February.
    
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Mags Corner

January 30, 2014

Oh, my goodness!! Those are all gorgeous! Stay, warm, safe and be careful on the ice. Hugs

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Thanks so much! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! 🙂
  
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Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

January 30, 2014

Reblogged this on 20 Lines A Day.

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Deb

January 30, 2014

I have an orchid that is looking less than healthy this year, who knows what the kids have done to the poor thing with their “helping”. However the lady down the street from me has her whole front window filled with blooming orchids, my guess is 20-30 of them, it is so beautiful to walk by.

We have the icy walks and streets here too. This whole winter thing is starting to get a bit old, isn’t it?

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  I agree with you…I’m anxious for the change in the season, that’s for sure!
  
  It would be fabulous to keep a collection of orchids – I keep thinking if I ever get a greenhouse, I might get into them. I would definitely need different conditions for growing than I currently have here at the apartment, the best I can do here are African violets.
  
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sueturner31

January 31, 2014

great photos..they certainly help get us through this wintery chill.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Thank you! Definitely need something to brighten our days! 🙂
  
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Gallivanta

January 31, 2014

Beautiful blooms to brighten the day. I haven’t grown orchids but I have given them as gifts to family members who have managed to keep them growing and healthy to this very day.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  It’s always nice to hear when someone has success with plants given as gifts – and especially orchids! 🙂
  
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craftysorcha

January 31, 2014

Oh those are beautiful! I don’t grow orchids but myself and my OH are part of an Orchid lovers association, we often go out into the countryside to look at wild orchids, they really are beautiful.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Finding orchids in the wild is really very special…I don’t see them very often on my hikes, but I sometimes think I’m not looking hard enough! 🙂
  
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  1. craftysorcha
    
    February 3, 2014
    
    Sometimes they are so small, or their colours blend in with the surroundings so they can be hard to see. Also, some of the more flamboyant ones get picked by walkers 😦
    
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Angie

January 31, 2014

Those are much nicer than what’s outside my front window. I like the Green Devil but I’m obsessed with green flowers.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Love the ‘Green Devil’, too, it really stood out for me. Too bad I couldn’t get a better photo of it.
  
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apuginthekitchen

January 31, 2014

Beautiful flowers and photo’s!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Thanks so much! The colour boost was badly needed! 🙂
  
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Chloris

January 31, 2014

What wonderful orchids, I love them. I find Phalaenopsis very easy, they bloom for months, have a short rest then start again. Paphiopedelum are easy too. I’d like to try some of the ones in your photos.
Chloris

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  It’s rather nice that Phalaenopsis are so easily available in the grocery stores etc., now more people can try them out. I agree, it would be so lovely to grow some of the other ones, as well…. 🙂
  
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Stephi

January 31, 2014

What a nice respite from the depths of winter. Very pretty. I have not attempted to grow orchids. I do look longingly when I see them for sale, but just figure they’d be dead in no time.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  I always think that, too – depending on the price, the risk may not be worth it! But if you can get a good deal somewhere…. 🙂
  
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Three Well Beings

February 1, 2014

Each is just gorgeous, but that first one–Princess Mikasa–is just fantastic! The color! Your photos are really beautiful. 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Thanks so much! I love that spotting on the Princess Mikasa – the colour is so vibrant!
  
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Jen Gardener

February 1, 2014

Beautiful!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  They are delightful! 🙂
  
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Chef Doru

February 1, 2014

Exceptional pictures

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 2, 2014
  
  Thank you very much, I appreciate it!
  
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Donna@Gardens Eye View

February 2, 2014

Sheryl I have always been intimidated by orchids but I do love the flowers…these are stunning.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 4, 2014
  
  There were so many beautiful ones at the show…I was so pleased to see them all, I was like a child in a candy store! 🙂
  
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Robbie

February 2, 2014

Just beautiful. I look at them and all I can think is how does that or those FLOWERS form just suspended in air, living sculpture…truly art!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 4, 2014
  
  They really are! It just makes a person marvel once again at how amazing the natural world is….. 🙂
  
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uribg

February 3, 2014

Hi Sheryl,
Thanks for liking my post “Featured Plant: Jewel Orchid” on
uribotanicalgardens.wodpress.com
I love your pictures, it is a pleasure looking through your beautiful blog. I’ll be back!
Best,
Gabrielle

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 4, 2014
  
  Thanks so much, Gabrielle! I really enjoyed that post…great information and photos, especially the instructional for anyone wishing to repot jewel orchids. I’m looking forward to reading more!
  
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garden98110

February 3, 2014

Would you say something about your photo techniques? A sentence or two, please? We looked elsewhere on your site. Such as, what is your primary objective; and, do you aim to achieve a particular state of mind? What is your idea of a useful lens; and, what is your ideal lens for taking a floral portrait? As we are learning, a picture is worth 1,000 words. A good title is worth at least half as much. And even a dozen words can only distract from sunlight on a leaf. In advance. Thank you for your practiced snaps. – The Healing Garden gardener

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 4, 2014
  
  Thanks so much for your kind compliment, and also for asking about my techniques, although I’m not sure I can give a satisfactory answer. I’m definitely not a photographer, although I do love taking pictures…I must confess, I don’t even have a macro lens and I will have to do my research before I purchase one (hopefully soon!). I enjoy experimenting, however, and I’m influenced by the types of composition I’ve found in the work of artists and professional photographers. I have so much to learn!
  
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  1. garden98110
    
    February 6, 2014
    
    It is to your extraordinary credit that you share with us your snaps. There is no other route to excellence in technique than using what you have. If we are not mistaken, in the Healing Garden this is the definition of genius, “Using what is available to produce the best.”
    
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LB

February 3, 2014

The colors are so vibrant, but the bright green in the 4th photo really made me smile!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 4, 2014
  
  Isn’t that green colour stellar? Just wonderful!
  
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lumar1298

February 3, 2014

Beautiful colors. Orchids are my favorite flower and I love them all…

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 4, 2014
  
  They are simply amazing, aren’t they? Really special flowers.
  
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Emma Sarah Tennant

February 24, 2014

What lovely pictures, I really enjoyed this post.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  March 2, 2014
  
  Thank you so much, I’m very glad you did! 🙂
  
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dianeskitchentable

February 27, 2014

Such beautiful orchids. It’s certainly a nice sight right about now.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  February 27, 2014
  
  It sure is – I can’t believe the weather forecast for the next few days! March is definitely coming in like a lion!
  
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The Wanderlust Gene

March 1, 2014

Is the Cypripedium ‘Gisela’ what I used to call a Trillium, when I lived in Canada years ago? Not that the wild ones I knew in the Gatineau Hills were as pretty as these! 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  March 2, 2014
  
  I did some digging for some photos of trilliums and they do look very similar to the Cypripedium – http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=714. (I’m thinking the grandiflora are the ones you probably saw, but there are other species as well that grow in eastern Canada). The two plants aren’t related, but they’re both very beautiful! 🙂
  
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  1. The Wanderlust Gene
    
    March 2, 2014
    
    Ahhh … yes, I’m sure it was the grandiflora we used to see in the forests of Quebec. Thank you so much for doing that searching for me – I’ll pop off to have a look. 🙂
    
    Reply