Orchids Bloom in August

In my orchids collection, there are not many orchids blooming in this month. Here are a few:

Two Paph. Pinocchio (Lady Sleeper) are still blooming one after another.

Oria Benice Forster.Richard Mueller x B Cordata. Easy to grow
Fragrant at night, so it is named "Lady of the night"

These are divisions from the above plant last May

Encyclia ."Green Hornet"

Dendrobium

Ikebana Exhibition at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

The 2nd annual Summer Ikebana exhibition by members of Ikebana International (II) Philadelphia chapter #71 was held on 8/23 to 8/25 at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Philadelphia Fairmount Park. My sensei was able to obtain 3 spots for us to present our work of ikebana. In the class prior to the event we all tried out hard. Finally, we had three beautiful arrangements to display into the three assigned spots along with the other fourteen arrangements from different school to fill in the entire house.
This was my first exhibition in this historic Japanese House and I had the honor to present my arrangement, along with other Sogetsu and Ohara arrangements in the main Reception Room. I am very thankful to my senei's instruction and have this chance to display my work for public viewing, and my thanks to my classmate Doris's help.
Below are the photos of Japanese garden and Ikebana exhibition:

The first Japanese garden in North America was Installed here in 1876.
The garden has been gradually expanded and renovated since 1957.

Eighty main stones were shipped from the old temple in central Japan.
 Continuous improvement to the recent beautiful garden. 

Arranged by me, displayed at Reception Room. right side.

Close up view. I treated the big tree mushroom with diluted
Clorox and hair spray after sun dried.

    
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Other II member from Sogetsu  school  displayed at the
 reception room left side

Ohara school  from II member displayed at the
center of the reception room.

My classmate Betty's arrangement in tea bridge shelf

My classmate Chih's two arrangements (see below) placed at
the kitchen, related and face each other.

Free Style - Horizontal Arrangement

These Arrangements have been done at home and in the class. They are the same but use different bases. Beside this assignment, we have to bring our agenda and idea to the class, or arrange a big (3.5'x 3.5' x 3.5') arrangement for the purpose of an upcoming Ikebana Exhibition in the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia). Our Sensei got three spots for her students. I am so excited to be one of them.

 Material: Crepe Myrtle, Sweet pea and wood branch
Container: Plastic vase (8/13/2013)

Same materials and Phlox were added

Inspired by Sensei's Arrangement

Two weeks ago in class, our sensei made a pre-arranged ikebana design and showed us how the soft sticks (Midollino sticks, made from bamboo?) can be used. The arrangement was beautiful which inspired me and urged me to give it a try. So I chose a few young soft Forsythia long branches instead. I bent the materials carefully into a round shape without breaking them off.

Material: Hydrangea, Phlox, Liatris, Stokes' aster,  Forsythia (leaves all striped)
and  Liatris.
Container: Ceramic vase

Sensei's arrangement (7/16/2013)

My garden 2

 Butterfly and Cone flower

Black- eyed Susan

Daisy

Toad lily

Phlox

Big tree mushroom grew on a tree stump in my back yard.

Buttrefly and Cone flower

Liatris and butterfly

My garden 1

White Bell flower and purple Stokes' Aster

Five different color of Day lily and Hydrangeas. See above and below

In the month of June, we had so much rain. The water in my pond was full, and my house surroundings looked very luscious, the flowers were blooming beautifully. But this month, we had several rounds of heat wave. It's so hot, humid and dry. My gardens suddenly became like the jungle. The weeds grow so fast beyond our control. Although you see my garden flowers that I post here are picture perfect, the reality is otherwise.

Orchids bloom for July

C. Skinneri Alba "Dabbie"  My only big Cattleya blooming in summer. but  I
checked my post, it bloomed on December 2010 (winter time). I am confused! 

Lctna. Migty titan "parkside". Small compact plant, 2.5" flowers

Philalaenopsis 

Onc. Sharry Baby " Sweet fragrance" AM/AOS
This is my third one blooming.

Dried Giant Allium - Free Style

I got this dried giant Allium seed pod (10 inches in size) from my daughter's garden. To beautify the Allium I sprayed it with silver paint, and I chose the white Prairie gentian flowers, in order to avoid the color of the flowers taking away the special effect of the silver giant Allium.
This is my contemporary / abstract design. (7/16/2013)

One or Two Containers - Free Style

I laid the wood stick transversely on the surface before. I put it upright for my arrangement this time. I arranged it with two containers, but my Sensei pointed out one container was fine too. Either way looks pretty, especially against the background panel, which makes it look more beautiful. (7/16/2013)
Material: Day lily, Hosta and forsythia
Container: Ceramic vase and bowl (nageire and moribana)

Vertical Composition Book 3-1

Our teacher assigned us to practice repeatedly in the Book 3 or 4  in order to polish our skills.

Day lily and Hydrangea leaf  in ceramic container (7/2/2013)
My first arrangement for this title was on 12/7/2010.