Santa Barbara Orchid Fair anyone?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I'll be there Friday wearing a black T-shirt with a pink orchid on the front, 2 year old SBO Fair T-shirt, and an 'ORCHIDGEEK' name tag w/'Cynthia, Prescott, AZ' on it. Say hi.

[arleneg]

Oh, how I wish I can go...and meet you Cynthia. That won't be until next year. I'll most likely be at the March orchid show. Let me know for next year.

If anyone is going to the fair and meeting up with Cynthia, please take a pic of you with her, and post it here.

Have a wonderful time!

[Buttercup]

I have asked to go for my first year wedding anniversary. Not sure if we will make it as we are tight on money but if I do I will be looking out for you Cynthia. )

[charleyismydog]

Buttercup, congrats on the upcoming anniversary. I hope you get to go!

[Buttercup]

thanks so much! me too!

[arleneg]

Congrats on your first anniversary! I'm sending "take Buttercup to the Santa Barbara Orchid Fair" vibes to your hubby right now.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

At all shows that I attend, and I am sure I will make the SB Show next year, I always go the first day. Don't want to find all the stuff picked over already. I've already got all the common easily found orchids.

[arleneg]

Cynthia,

That's my plan for the SB show next year, since missed out quite a bit this year when I went on the second day. I'll be driving down Thursday afternoon and go to the show early the next day.

[PhalPal]

Hi Cynthia- I may be at the show tomorrow; I have been trying to ignore the fact that it is finally here and finding all kinds of excuses not to go but it is killing me!! I too like to go on the first day. No chance of finding miniatures on Saturday or Sunday. I like your idea of wearing an 'Orchidgeek' nametag. I just KNOW I have been at shows and other Geeks were there but how would ya know? I will be in jeans, a t-shirt more then likely with dirt on the front of it, a visor, blonde hair, small, probably by myself. I know I know, just described half the women in California!

I'll keep an eye out for your name tag!

[Buttercup]

Aw man, I just realized that Friday is the first day. I am hoping to go on Saturday. Luckily I am new and still in awe of most everything there. Thanks for the good vibes Arlene!! I will let you know if they work

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Someone asked for pictures of some of what I brought back from the fair.
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/82368521/large

http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/82368533
and
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/82368534

http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/82368688

And here is the 'Lava Glow' (pretty sure) I picked up at Home Depot just before the Fair. Petals are a darker red, but my camera refuses to give me a proper dark shade.
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/82370268

Larger pictures are available for all pics if you use 'original' at the bottom of pic.

[arleneg]

Cynthia,

Looks like you had a wonderful time at the fair. You sure got some good finds there.

Was this fair as big as the orchid show back in March? How many vendors were there?

Thanks for sharing pics.

[Vivienne]

Great purchases Cynthia! And thanks for sharing the pic of your 'Lava Glow' which I believe we have now named (thanks Kevin!) Dtps. Laurel Lea Baldan

I hope that's correct!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The number of vendors was similar, maybe slightly less, but the mix of plants was a little more for the orchid connoisseur. Since there were no show plants to peruse, there was more time for the business of selecting orchid purchases, and visiting the local orchid nurseries. We started our day at Cal Orchids at 8:00, SBOE by 8:25, and the Fair by about 9:15. Then it was back to SBOE to see what else they put out, and then Cal Orchids. My sister in law was on a quest for a Sobralia xantholuca, and by 3:00 pm people had time to answer questions and look for plants for us. SBOE had a less than blooming size plant for $50. Cal Orchids had a great blooming size plant, 3 or 4 times the size expected, for $35. I think we probably had time to stop at another orchid nursery, but I was not really interested in Cymbidiums.

[Tobi]

Very lovely Cynthia. I especially like the Epidendrum Pacific Shockwave x
Sun Valley. Looks like a beautiful mix of pink and lavender. Love the lip!!

[arleneg]

Cynthia,

I rather like having more time to shop. I'll work on my hubby about making two trips (March and July) to Santa Barbara next year.

[Buttercup]

Hi fellow orchidgeeks,

I wanted to let you know I made it to Santa Barbara!!! It was smaller than I expected but lovely (held outside). I picked up a beautiful Phal and have attached pictures (I have a new respect for you photographers, it's hard to get a good pic). I have been looking and looking for a white phal with a pink lip and finally found it. I love it. It's leaf and root system is pretty amazing. It has three leaves from previous growths and 5 leaves above the current spike. It's interesting as it looks to be potted in bark with coconut husk? The mixture definitely seems to retain more water than my bark/perlite/charcoal current mix and I really wish I had thought to ask the grower. Duh!

My new question is: I have never seen a phal this tall. I have read that people usually "top" phals when they get really tall but really don't know how this would be done and if it is suggested. I quite like the messy crazy look of it now but if the plant is suffering I will definitely take your advice.

I also posted a pic of a "Bllra. Capitola Sunrise 'Pacific Starlite'" that I picked up about a month ago when I needed a trip to the Orchid Dr. (there is a local orchid store that I really like and go to whenever I need a "fix"). My other phals are growing new leaves. I can't wait to actually see spikes come up, fingers crossed!! Thanks for your continued advice on this forum. Sorry the pics are out of order.

orchidgeek in training