C. maxima buds emerging from sheath

Last year this plant bloomed in mid-October.  Looks like it will be earlier this year.

Laelia anceps spikes

I have multiple anceps plants spiking.  This is Wallbrun x Helen.  Two spikes visible, two out of frame.

Another C. labiata semi-alba

I acquired this seedling from Cal-Orchid in 2007.  It languished in a pot for a while and then started doing better in a basket.  This Fall will be its first blooming.

Encyclia phoenicea

I bought a seedling last year (two years ago?) from Fred Clarke.  The new growth grew completely sideways (parallel to the top of the pot) - perpendicular to the older smaller growths.  So, something needed to be done.  When I took it out of the small plastic pot it came in I saw that at the center was a sphagnum plug.  This is often how large-scale operations grow seedlings.  From compot to plug tray to pot.  I teased off all the sphagnum and after looking at the situation and seeing that this species likes a very dry rest I decided to mount it on a piece of wood.  Here you can see that recent larger growth parallel to the mount. There is a new growth just starting.  Hopefully the plant will attach to the mount.  If not, it will have a tough time surviving.

Cattleya guttata in situ

C. maxima sheath

Last winter's low temps were very unkind to my C. maximas - they seem more sensitive than other species (that includes both the lowland and upland form).  Here is my 'Hercules' clone - off to the left you can see the pseudobulb I cut last winter.  The newest growth is not as large as the previous year growth but it will still flower.

Stanhopea soon