First Place: Blc. George King 'Southern Cross' AM/AOS

Grower: Carol Wood

Three light yellow flowers on one inflorescence. Carol indicated that she had recently purchased this plant from Fender's Orchids. This yellow form is a mutation that occurred during the mericloning of `Serendipity`. Bill Fender says "The mericlones have all been yellow and vigorous. Even breeding with this mutation has been stable." It received its AOS award in 2002.

Second Place: Ascda. Sweet Cherry

Grower: Sherman Shonk

The bright red-orange flowers caught the judges attention. The name does not appear to be registered. The foliage of the plant and flower characteristics would indicate that Ascocentrum curvifolium is likely to be a parent or grandparent.

Third Place: Habenaria odontopetala

Grower: Bill Timm

This is the most common terrestial orchid native to Florida. Bill described his 'collection' of the plant: "I placed a pot with native soil besides a plant found growing in my yard. After 3 years, I found plants growing in the pot. This plant has been growing in my shadehouse for about 8 years."

Species of the Month: Bulbophyllum medusae

Grower: Bob and Barb Wagner

A showy example of this species with 15 inflorescences. This is a lowland forest plant widespread in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Each inflorescence carries about 50 closely spaced flowers.

Speaker's Choice: Bulblophyllum makoyanum

Grower: Bill Timm

This plant native to Boreno and the Phillipines was selected by the Speaker because of its connection to Boreno "One of the loviest places in the world." Several inflorescences, carrying 5-9 flowers, peeked out from amongst the folliage.

Members' Choice: Bc. Binosa 'Wabash Valley' AM/AOS

Grower: Jane Camarota

The green petals and sepals and the contrasting spotted white lip caught the attention of members. This is a hybrid of B. nodosa x C. bicolor registered in 1950. The most recent award was in 1997.