For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Orchid Show - Part 1

Becky has made me want to get some orchids again as she is always showing us the spectacular ones she has.
They have to rank as one of the worlds most beautiful species of flowers
In my search for some on Saturday, I was told of a show they had on at one of the malls so I went there to see what they had and was over whelmed by the variety and colors on display.
What to choose? What to leave? I wanted them all!!
In the end, I restricted myself to just two, this one below was one of them, and a white one with a yellow lip which I will show you in the next post.
This has to be one of the most beautiful slippers I have seen.
I desperately wanted this orange one but they did not have a plant of it which they were selling so it is next on my list.

38 comments:

Jo said...

Oh Joan, these are stunning orchids. I love the white one with the lilac spots and the green slipper is WOW, beautiful, Thanks for sharing this beauty with me on a Monday morning! Bless you, Jo

Diane said...

Joan these are beautiful and that orange one is something else. The one above it is what I had in my bouquet when I got married. I had a huge bunch of them given to me by my boss at the time. Diane

Philip said...

Beautiful stunning colours Joan and they look so delicate enjoy them :))

Barbara Selkirk said...

Orchids are favourites of mine - stunning photos of the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. Well done!
As a newcomer to your site, I'm looking forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing your perspective and your images.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jo. I agree it is a good way to start our week. :) I think that my mouth was hanging open at this beautiful show. The one was more spectacular than the other.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I was so disappointed that they did not have a plant of that orange one Diane. But I will definitely be getting it as soon as I can find a plant. It is a stunner. That slipper is beautiful and I think that bouquet must have been wonderful.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I will Philip. The pinkish one is in full bloom now and the flowers are as big as my hand. The white ones are just opening.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Barbara. Welcome and thanks for commenting. I love all kinds of flowers but there are some which are very special to me. The array of orchids was stunning and I could not decide which I liked best. I hope when you browse my site you find a lot to your liking. :)

Gaelyn said...

OMG, so many choices. I don't know how you could decide. I do like your choice, but the green slipper would have come home with me. Of course, I have a black thumb so would expect it to die soon. Aren't orchids hard to raise?

Andrea said...

The orange one is wonderful indeed.
Is it a Cattleya?
Never saw this color.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: Beautiful flowers so nicely shown.

mainly mongoose (Lynda) said...

Lovely flowers and lovely photos, as usual!

By the way, have you heard about 'rock-flipping day' (12 Sept). I thought you might be interested in contributing. For info see: http://wanderinweeta.blogspot.com/2010/08/international-rock-flipping-day-2010.html

Wendy said...

Ooooo look at the orange one!! So pretty! I also really like your first two pictures, it's showing all the different kinds, so beautiful :)

FAB said...

Stunning blooms and colours Joan. Wouldn't be the same without one or two around the home. FAB.

Unknown said...

WOW! Joan these are so spectacular. I love orchids, they are one of my very favourites! Thanks for sharing these with us, you just brought a great big smile to my face! :o) Krista

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Gaelyn. I must admit that this was as fantastic a display as what I have ever seen.

Some kinds of orchids are easier to grow than other and even you can do that. The Cattleya's, like the two I bought are the most difficult as they prefer certain conditions to grow in.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It sure is Andrea. I wish the show was on when you were here as you would have enjoyed it.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Tom. It is so wonderful to hear from you again. Thanks. I think that one cannot take a bad shot of these beautiful flowers. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Lynda. No I have not heard of it but I will go and check it out. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Wendy. I did not know which to photogrpah first. LOL!! The site was mind boggling to say the least. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Frank. You are right. I have missed having mine and was time for me to start collecting some again. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I am happy to make you smile Krista. These are such stunning flowers I cannot see how anyone can not like them.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

My father-in-law is into this whole orchid thing and has a shade house in the backyard with all his plants. I've been wanting to pop by there to get some pictures for my blog as well.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Now is the time to get pictures Jonker as they are blooming at their best. :) I used to have a hothouse with them in too but that was a long time ago before I went back to the bush.

troutbirder said...

They are in a class of beauty unequaled. Still this very quality is leading to their destruction here as many of our native orchids are disappearing. People "collect" them illegaly, they quickly die, thus disappearing from our prairies and forests. :(

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

As with most things today Ray!! People only care about money and nothing else which is such a pity. There are so many plant specieal, reptiles even spiders, being poached and taken out of the wild. What a pity such people exist!!

Mary said...

I'm always amazed at the endless variety of orchids and all so gorgeous! I can't choose a favorite...that purple and white is spectacular and I love that orange one at the end!...and that pinkish one! Lovely! I hope Becky checks in on these.

Anonymous said...

So pragtig!! - ek hou baie van die kleurvolheid van die 2e foto. My gunsteling is die wit/groen combo.

Hoeveel water het hul nodig en in watter tipe grond groei hul?

(Ns. Heerlik warm hier by ons. Nou wag ons net vir die reën!)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Now you can imagine what a problem I had choosing what to buy Mary. :) In the end it boiled down to what plants they were actually selling and not just there for display. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Ida. Hulle was almal pragtig!! :) Die water hang af van die soort maar meeste soek nie baie water nie maar wel huite. In die ander dele wat ek gaan pos sal jy meer inligting kry oor hulle.

Ek stem saam, nou moet die reen kom!! Alles is so droog hier ook maar daar is geen tekens van 'n wolk nie.

sandy said...

Wow Joan, these are gorgeous blooms. I loved looking at them.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

These are great for your paintings Sandy. :) Thanks.

MadSnapper said...

deep purple ones are my favorites of these photos.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Sandra. I picked one of the buds off mine and have it on my desk at work. What a beauty!!

Unknown said...

What a feast for the eye! Wonderful!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Glad you like them Jose. I was sure you would. :)

Becky said...

OK, Good thing I finally got around to look at your posts. We have been so busy, I barely get time to do my own posts, but now onto your AWESOME pictures, and I will take one of each! No 2 of each! I just happen to have some room in my little greenhouse.
I hope the 2 you picked out smell heavenly? ?
Thanks SO much for sharing Joan!
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You have been a great inspirating in me getting some again Becky and I thank you for it. I do love having them in the house and are the first plants I have bought again for the house since I have been back from the bush. Now it is begining to look like a home again and not just a house.

I thought you would love these. I have lots more pictures coming up for your enjoyment.

These do not have much smell but with their beauty, it is enough to be able to see them.