First Place, Speakers Choice and Members Choice Awards: Blc. Momilani Rainbow

Grower: Ed and Elaine Fox

A superior plant that appealed to judges, the speaker and to members, this clone had over 55 flowers on 22 spikes - significantly more spikes and flowers than two clones that have recieved CCM awards from the AOS. The cross of Lc. Marie's Song by Blc. Orange Nuggett was registered in 1995. It is a complex hybrid with 16 Cattleya species, 4 Laelia species and 2 Brassavola species in its background.

Second Place Award: Vanda Pimsai 'Aztec' HCC/AOS

Grower: Katie Caldwell

The grex, V. Pimsai, was registered in 1975 by Y. Weerwathanamas.The exhibited clone, Aztec, is the only one to have received an AOS award. The exhibited plant had 13 flowers on one inflorescence.

It is a cross of V. Lenavat x V. Patou. Although this breeding line goes back seven generations, and involves 50 parents, the primary species, accounting for 3/4 of the background is V. sanderiana.

Third Place Award: Pleurothallis racemiflora

Grower: Joni Harasymiw

The exhibited plant had 3 inflorescences of 25-35 flowers each and perfect foliage. The species is widely distributed in Central America and northern South America.

There are over 1200 speices of Pleurothallis. According to the Kew Orchid List, Pleurothallis racemiflora is now a synonym of Pleurothallis quadrifida

Best Species: Epidendrum stamfordianum 'Pinkie' AM/AOS

Grower: Bill and Connie Timms

This species presented itself very well with seven inflorescences each containing 50-100 flowers. The inflorescences emerge from the base of the psuedobulbs and create a 'shower' of color.

The species has been awarded several quality and cultural awards. Recent cultural awarded plants had 1500 or more flowers. The plant is native to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. Epi. stamfordianum is a good choice for anyone wishing to grow a 'showy' species.