Grower: Ed and Elaine Fox

A large plant with 6 branched inflorescences. This is a hybrid of Encyclia Orchid Jungle x Encyclia plicata registered in 1993. The cross was made by Thomas Fennell and registered by Martin Motes. The grex has won 4 AOS awards.

Second Place, Speaker's and Members' Choice: Sophronitis (Laelia) purpurata v. carnea 'Hihimanu'

Grower: Jane Camarota

This species was first described in 1852 as Laelia purpurata and was transferred, based on DNA analysis, to Sophronitis in 2002. Most orchid growers still perfer the original name. There are many color variations of the speices. Over 100 clones have earned AOS awards. The plant exhibited drew attention because of the beautiful display of approximately 20 flowers on six inflorescences.

Third Place: Grammatophyllum elegans

Grower: Shirely Hoffman

A plant with one infloresence over five feet long. The flowers extended around and along the entire inflorescence. The species was described in 1882. It was the cover photograph of the November 1973 American Orchid Society Bulletin. It is a good plant for our climate but should be kept warm in the winter or in may not flower the following season.

Species of the Month: Bulbophyllum roxburghia (sikkimense?)

Grower: Richard Amos

This interesting Bulbophyllum was presented as the species sikkimense and was compared to other plants exhibited that evening. There was a general consensus that this was probably roxburghia, but these are closely related or forms of the same speices that are often confused. The Kew Monocot Checklist indicates that there is only one species - Bulb. roxburghia.