August Orchids Bloom

My orchid blooms in August are really not much to show. Here are the three:

Blc. Richard  Mueller x B.cordata
Bugs ate couple of new flower stems before I brought it home.
 Please compare to last September's orchids bloom.

 This is a miniature Dendrobium. I planted it on a root stump
 few years ago. It has bloomed a few times.

Dendrobium

My Husband's Retirement Party

My children threw a party for my husband's retirement on August 18, 2012 after 35 years of practice (Urologist). I made a flower arrangement for the restaurant's room entrance table. I'm so proud of being his wife. Everyone had such admiring words for him. He has been a kind and caring doctor. I was also happy to have my children and grandchildren there. I'm proud of them all.

Material: Zebra grass, Dahlia, Phlox, Zinnia and Hosta
Container:  Paper-like ceramic vase, 8x10x5 inches in size

Ikebana and Paper - Free Expression

This is a close up snap shot of a sunflower head  I took last month. Half of
its seeds have been eaten. I thought it's interesting and pretty. I used this
 picture as inspiration for today's Ikebana assignment.(8/14/2012)

Material:  Sunflower,Cornflower seed head, Hosta and
Forsythia branch

This is my teacher's demo arrangement and  it's another
way to arrange it.

This was my paper wrapping design in 2/2012. It also suited
today's title.

With leaves Only- Using Five kinds of Leaves

Today's assignment is to find five kinds of different leaves to compose an arrangement. I did this before in May 2009, but my teacher wants to push us to the next level. I can see the difference from now and then.(8/14/2012)

Material: Tiger tail, Phalodendron selloum, Caladium,Yucca and Begonia

Two Free Style arrangements

This composition consists of Hydrangea, Lily and one piece of trimmed twig,
 plus one Peace lily leaf.  

Materials: Philodendron sellum, purple dwarf balloon flower,
white Bellflower and drift wood.

July Orchids Bloom

Usually my orchids do not bloom in summer too often. I only have a new one that is blooming right now and the other two have been blooming since previous months.  

Cattleya (name lost). This was a very young plant. I got it
from pot party a few years ago. First time bloom. The flowers
are only two inches in size.

Three flowers have faded. New buds keep coming since May.

I cut the main stem off when it finished blooming.
The new branches are blooming beautifully.
This Phalaenopsis was a gift. It has been blooming  for
more than two months now.    

Austria and Hungary Vacation and beyond

During my vacation trip to Europe recently (7/12-7/22/2012), besides the sightseeing tour, I saw many beautiful gardens and window box flowers that just take my breath away. I would like to share some "Ikebana like" pictures I saw in the hotels where I stayed. It surprised me that the flower arrangements were not all western style.
The countryside of Austria and Budapest's historic buildings along the Danube River are so picturesque and beautiful, there is no need to describe them. 

Hydrangea Arrangements- Mass and Line

Hydrangeas are in season now. They can't tolerate hot or dry conditions too well. If the flowers wilt, just immerse them in water for a couple hours, and it will be lively again.

Materials: Hydrangea, Liatris and Stocks' aster
Dish kenzan is used behind drift wood.

 No water in these Liatris are OK. Usually it dries beautifully.

I bought this container  from Phila. flower show
 last March. It's made from a Hawaiian palm tree.

  Liatris, Philodendron selloum and  Hydrangea
Composition of  Mass and  Line

Celebrating Retirement Arrangement

I chose this painting (original by P.W.Ahlborn) and used it for my flower arrangement. To me it implicates stepping into another stage of life for my husband's retirement. This was today's assignment "Specific scenes or Occasions".

Hydrangea with Trumpet vine branch
A simple and happy retirement to you, my dear. (7/3/2012)

Slanting Style Moribana

Seeded Viburnum branches with  Day lily
Back to basic style for today's lesson (7/3/2012)