Pretty picture: Paphiopedilum hybrid

Officially, this is Paphiopedilum (Michael Koopowitz x adductum) x Paph. Shin-Yi Edward #1, but I wasn't sure all that would fit in the title.

Also he prefers "Dave."

Pretty pictures: Hatiora cvv.

I am becoming increasingly worried that the summer will be over before I get the official sell-trade list together. (This worry may make more sense once you see the post in question.) As a result, I'm announcing a semi-hiatus, which will last until I get that posted. (The "semi-" part is because some orchid posts are already scheduled.)

In appreciation for your patience, here are a couple photos of NOID Hatioras that I didn't buy from the ex-job.


Why not? Well, they were expensive: $10 for a 4" pot. Even if that weren't an issue, though, I don't think I should grow Easter cacti: it doesn't seem to go very well, and even the plants that survive and prosper don't rebloom. So it all seems kind of pointless, even if the flowers are undeniably pretty.

Pretty picture: Cattleya aclandiae

Hmmph. Cattleyas think they're so pretty.

In this case, actually, I can kinda see it. It may be that I only like this one because it's different -- most of the catts and their relatives that I run into are frillier and more monochromatic than this.

By reader request:

A reader has requested that I let you know I'm okay, after all the weather.

I'm okay. There were tornadoes in Iowa, but mostly in southwest Iowa. The closest one to us was near West Des Moines, which is a solid 125-150 miles away. (There was a tornado warning issued closer to us, but they apparently decided later that it was not in fact actually a tornado. And also it was still a good 70 miles or so.)

Benjamin, who was a lot closer to the action than I was, is also fine, he says in today's post.

The severe weather action is again supposed to be close to us, but not that close: the NWS forecast has the biggest danger area today somewhat to our north, in NE IA / SE MN / SW WI, so we'll probably get through that fine as well.