First Place: Laelia purpurata 'carnea'

Grower: Jackie Weber

June is L. purpurata month! Four L. purpurata plants were on the show table. Unlike other orchid names, the 'varietal' name refers only to the color pattern of the flowers; 'carnea' means white with flesh-colored veining and lip.

Jackie's plant had eight flowers on two inflorescences.

Second Place: Bl. Richard Mueller x Lc. Jungle Elf

Grower: Patti and Arnie Rapoport

Bl. Richard Mueller hybrids are known for there rapid growth and freeblooming ways. The Rapoports' plant had 19 flowers on 6 inflorescences. The hybrid has not been registered.

Third Place: Laelia purpurata 'Cindarosa x sib'

Grower: Monroe Kokin

This L. purpurata had twelve flowers on three inflorescences. Because of the identification of a 'clone x sibling' we know we have a seedling which could be classified by its color. The deep purple lip creates a striking contrast with the white of the sepals and petals.

Best Species: Encyclia tampensis

Grower: Don Mitchell

Don's plant had over 40 inflorescences distributed around the plant. As a Florida native species, this is always a favorite when presented as a well grown specimen.

Speaker's Commendation and Members' Choice: Brassavola digbyana 'Conner'

Grower: Fender's Flora (Bill and Susan Fender)

Bill indicates that he has grown many clones of this species and this is one of the most impressive. The plant had 13 flowers on 13 inflorescences. It is an excellent example of the large, frilly lip that made this species an important part of breeding the large lip Cattleya type flowers.