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