On Saturday it was a lovely, sunny day. The promise of spring was heavy
in the air. We have waited such a long time for the fulfillment of that
promise.
My friend and I piled (neither of us small women) into my little Kia Rio
(I love this car!)
and off we went to the next town along the shore. At the museum there
was a treat awaiting us.
We had a few errands to do first, a quick visit with an elderly aunt of
my husbands who in the hospital, then we excitedly motored up the hill
to the delightful, but still snow covered gardens of the local museum.
Ah! parking spots right near the entrance. Great! not packed yet.
How nice. Must come back and tour these gardens in the warmer weather.
Very special gardens, these, a well kept secret.
Quickly we parked, then booted it to the door, sniffing the air as we
went. Yes! That teasing scent that you can't actually catch, that
something that triggers a perhaps primordial memory, that sign as yet
unidentified. Spring! yup. It is here.
Inside the temperatures are a bit high, as is the humidity. The old
asthma pays attention to these things for me.
Jackets off and over the arm. Swinging to the right, looking through the
open door, a site that caused the breath to catch.
Oh! all those phalaenopsis. And what is THAT? What a luscious
display......well no, oops, that was just the sale table! The display
was in another room. Lets check out what is for sale first as the plants
are being grabbed up by the box loads and ....well no, I am NOT going to
buy one. I really shouldn't , was not, but I did, but only one. My
friend got a couple.
Off to the display room.
If I had a camera I would still be there.
Keep in mind this is a "small" display. The Nova Scotia Orchid Society
has a bigger display in Halifax in a couple weeks so the prime plants
are being held. There are competitions at that show and sale.
I don't suppose I will make it to that show but I had a treat already.
It was stunning! These people made a real effort for us and I have to
say I was so impressed. Not just a show and sale but a talk and question
period. I think the woman handling that was wondering if I would ever
run out of questions.
George, if you have gotten this far, I have to say, I know now why this
could become an addiction.
Because of the timing and the upcoming big show, the main blooms on
display were Phalaenopsis, with a few catalayas. A couple other
varieties were represented as well of course.
Lovely. Such a spray of this colour and that. There were a couple I
didn't recognize and the man who seem to be hosting was very busy with a
number of people touring the display. Sounds like these people know
their stuff as I eavesdrop. I will nab him in a bit and see what is
what.
I turned around the display to the back side and my heart near stopped.
The Ladyslipper orchids are there. There were very old varieties as were
treasured by the Victorians, big almost wax like blooms, some heavily
scented.
But I have to say what caught my eye and what stole my heart were the
Lady slipper Orchids from Chile!. They were discovered about 20 years
ago and I have never seen anything so beautiful. Well maybe beautiful
isn't the word. The colours and the pouches and the changes collectors
have wrought already by hybridizing and......
Man came and chatted about them and I totally forgot what I wanted to
know. I am in love, and ....WANT!!!!!!!!! I was even trying to figure a
diversion so I could slip one under my coat to liberate it... me! an
orchid thief?....aaaaahhhhhghhh. My mother always knew I would come to
no good!
Price for a start? More than my home is worth! Then, there is the new
lady slipper that was discovered last year...pictures are showing up
now, but I haven't seen them.
I am going to put a link on My Tangled Web to link to the societies
page. It might take some time but they said they will have some photos
there from the Halifax show. I brought my treasure home. I have a small
phalaenopsis with a mottled leaf and an intense pink/rose bloom. I like
the leaves more than the proposed flower. The flowers could be different
as it hasn't bloomed yet. If they are I am to contact the seller and we
will try for seed.
Marg
--
You are invited to visit my very tangled web:
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/mmillard
and my painting site: http://www.millardspaintedcanvas.netfirms.com
