Orchidview
At the WNCOS show in March, Katherine and H.P. Norton, along with their wondeful daughter Carol attended as vendors for the event. While there they informed me that they would be closing the larger of their greenhouses, by not turning on the heat this winter. At first I was very disappointed, but then I rejoiced in the news that they would be able to enjoy more free time for their golden years. They have two smaller greenhouses closer to their home, so they will still be growing a few select plants. Naturally, I knew that I would need to make a trip down to the large greenhouse with all the Phalaenopsis (a large portion being Phalaenopsis violacea). So I worked hard to save up a good chunk of money for purchasing as much as I could. Here are a few of my purchases, and a few gifts as well ;)
A semi-alba Phalaenopsis violacea. This is 'Morning Star' x 'H.P.'- has a beautiful soft cinnamon fragrance. There was a yellow tag in the pot with the hand written description, "Delicate pink lip, white w/ green picotee. Flat, quite nice!"
Phal venosa 'Clair'
Fresher flowers of Phal venosa 'Clair'- I selected this plant due to the strong green color, and flava like markings. Katherine named this plant after her sister, Clair.
This was a plant that I brought to the Nortons to see if they any luck growing it. This is Phalaenopsis equestris 'Blue Wan Chio' SM/TOGA. I never had any luck getting this plant to bloom when I was growing under lights in a terrarium, but they got it to bloom several times. They gave this back to me since it probably wouldn't have moved with others to the smaller greenhouses.
This is Phalaenopsis Samera (bellina 'Orchidview' x violacea 'Blue Chip')- the parents of this cross were posted last year in an Orchidview post. I selected this seedling due to the strong color, form, and potential for future crosses.
Comparative photo with a sister from the same seedpod. Phalaenopsis Samera 'Mija'
This is a primary hybrid, Phalaenopsis Fintje Kunriawati (violacea 'Majesty' x pulchra 'Lorrie' HCC/AOS). This phal inherited nice fragrance from both parents. I would describe it like a crape myrtle bloom, if you've ever smelled that before. You'll notice the tag is red and has the letters 'NFS', not for sale, but due to the closing of the greenhouses they were willing to part with this plant. Ironically, this exact plant is in my earlier post from October of last year, when I first saw this primary, and found this flower captivating.
A comparative shot with Phalaenopsis violacea 'Sister' ('Red' x 'Harvey')
Fresh bloom of Phal Fintje Kunriawati
I'm actually not certain about the species that this plant it. It was labelled Phal Spica 'Florence', and was bunched with one such plant, and others that resembled this one. I selected this plant due to the floriferiousness and shape, as well as the unique orange-like markings. It has a musty fragrance. This could be Phalaenopsis reichenbachiana, or Phalaenopsis fasciata, two sister species that are often confused with one another. However, Phal fasciata is said to have a green apple like fragrance.
Another Phalaenopsis violacea, this one a true alba. This is Phal violacea 'H.P.' x self. A parent of the first violacea listed in this post.
Side view. This one has very green tips.
Finally, these are fresh out of the flask seedlings of a cross the Norton's and I made in December of 2010. This is Phalaenopsis Princess Kaiulani (amboinensis 'Bryan' x violacea 'Blue Chip'). You can find the parents in an older thread. There was another flask of these, but the Nortons knowing that I did not have any previous experience deflasking, or raising seedlings from flask gave me the smaller of the two, to ensure a better chance of survival for the other flask :) I couldn't be happier to be growing a cross that we made together!
There were a few other plants that I got that were not in bloom, or blooming size:
Phalaenopsis corningiana ('Fernbrook' x 'Red Rebel')
Phalaenopsis corningiana 'MAJ' x corningiana
Phalaenopsis floresensis ('Tyler' x 'Carol')
Unfortunately, I did not take photos in the greenhouse, as time was precious and I wanted to spend as much as possible browsing through plants and enjoying the company of Katherine and Carol. We had a great time during our visit! It was very bittersweet, but I know that it won't be the end, and we'll see the Nortons again soon!
