Orchids in May

I wish this medium sized white Catelleyas could last until for my daughter's wedding (less then 5 weeks away). She always wants her bridal bouquet to have this kind of orchid, just like mine (which was from my father's orchid collection). I might have to look for it somewhere else to fulfill her wish. Usually there are not many blooming Cats in the summer time.

Zygonisla Cynosure " Blue Birds"
Three years ago this was a young plant, it's the second time it's bloomed now. I can't believe how easy it is!

Left-Huge, 7 inches flower on big plants. Fragrant
Right- Encyclia "Green Hornet" Buds are produced one after another, it's still going strong.

Left- I divided it into two plants last summer, both were blooming through April to early May.
Right- This is the same orchid as the first picture above, it's been blooming for 4 weeks now.( 5/31/2011)

MWGC - May Little Show

On May's MWGC meeting, I entered two designs for the little show, one is a "Tubular Design." I used three PVC tube as containers and the peony were from my garden.

Another one is a "Flowering of the Arts." I arranged all the flowers (which were from my garden too) to interpret the painting below. I bought this water color painting from Acapulco, Mexico long time ago.(5/25/2011)

"Flowering of the Arts' - Interpret a painting of your choice

In a Suiban without Kenzan

I arranged this at home and took this picture at a different angle a day before class.

I made this arrangement in the suiban without using Kenzan. I used an upside down wood branch as a center framework that is steady in place, then I interlocked the branch with the maple, lilac and a clematis flower. The base is effectively displayed with water. My teacher said this was beautiful--what do you think? (5/17/2011)

Paying Attention to the Container and Placement

I love this container (Rosenthal, made in Germany) because its unique open mouth. I want to showcase it, so I made a simple arrangement only using a few Irises to suit the subject title. I placed my composition the corner of the stairs toward one side against the window.(5/17/2011)

To be Viewed from All Angles

We skipped April's Ikebana class because our teacher went for vacation. We resumed May's class today. I made my arrangement "To be viewed all angles" using waved pine and Azalea.
I also had an another big free style arrangement that my teacher assigned me to do this time. I just did my first lay out draft today. It will be completed next ikebana class.(5/5/2011)

MWGC April Little Show

" Come for Tea"-Place setting for one person on a tray. Mine and Cynthia's place setting arrangement.

"April Showers"- an Underwater Design. Jeremy and my design.

Orchids in April

Blc. Hawaiian Lightening "Colorful" ( Fragrant)
The good thing about my blog is that I can trace my orchids growth and compare, like this one has more flowers than last year. (See last February 2010)

Phrag. Don Wimber (Eric Young x besseae)
This has been blooming every year since I can remember. Its buds keep coming after the first flower fades; after the fourth flower, it stops budding, in total about 3 months. My other lady's slipper orchids are not like this one, they skip blooming a year or two. (See last June 2010)

Orchids in March

Onc. Chaculatun " Golden Pacific"
I don't grow or have this orchid, but I was lucky enough to get it from this month's raffle.

Onc. Sherry Baby and Cymbidium. Below is Onc."Hawaii sunset." These three orchids along with other BCOS members' orchids were in the SEPOS (Southeast Pennsylvania Orchid Society) International Orchid Show this weekend in Longwood Garden.

Left: Cattleya (name unknown). Small cluster flowers, it skipped blooming last year. I think I neglected it a little bit last summer.
Right: Dendrobium (I lost the name). It is blooming for the first time, but it only has one flower. Maybe lacking sun?
Both orchids were given to me by two friends who divided their orchids a couple years ago.

Arrangement With Flowers Only

This arrangement requires two or more kinds of flowers. My various kinds of flowers were a Cattleya orchid and deep purple carnations that match the orchid's lip color. For the color contrast I chose yellow gladiolus plus some baby's breath. I arranged them carefully into a black vase. I love my composition.

Lc. Hallo wedding "Carmen"
I cut off one flower from the back of this orchid without hesitation because I want it for my arrangement with flowers only (see above picture). (3/16/2011)

Only One Kind of Material

Forsythia is the only kind of material to be used for today's arrangement. It can become boringly dull, so I forced the plant into flowering a couple weeks ago and chose a different type of container, together it looks more vivid. The teacher said it needs a little bit more dimension.

Left is my Gladiolus, one kind of material I arranged, the idea was from my teacher's inspiration last time.
Right is my teacher's demo piece. How can I think about using containers to do one kind of material arrangement? I was amazed! (3/16/2011)