First Place: Catasetum saccutum

Grower: Bill Timm

Fifteen intriging flowers on one inflorescence caught the judges attention. This species, from the northern part of South America, was described by Lindley in 1840. The collection location of the type specimen remains unknown. The natural habitat of the species is described as hot, moist, lowland areas with only a brief dry season.

Second Place: Cattleya violacea

Growers: Bob and Barbara Wagner

This first blooming of a line-bred seedling had three flowers on one inflorescence. Widespread in northern South America, this species is usually found growing on tree trunks near rivers in hot, steamy jungles of the Amazon Basin.

Third Place: Dendrobiun bigibbum v. compactum

Grower: Roy Klinger

Over 75 flowers on 16 inflorescences covered this small growing form of Dendrobium bigibbum. This species has been bred extensively for the commerical plant market and a variety of color forms exist. This variety of the species is native to north Queensland, Australia.

Species of the Month: Bulbophyllum tingabarinum

Grower: Bill Timm

A single inflorescence with 8 charming flowers attracted the judges attention. The plant, growing on an 'aged branch' was only a few centimeters high and the inflorescence extended about 12 cm. The species is native to Indochina. The Kew Monocot Checklist considers this a synonym of Bulbophyllum pecten-veneris.

Speaker's Choice: Cycnoches chlorochilon 'Green Giant'

Grower: Bill Timm

This exceptionally well grown specimen of Cycnoches chlorochilon had four inflorescences and 19 flowers. The plant consisted of four new annual growths, each flowering. The species was described in 1838 and grows in Panama, Venezuela, Columbia and surrounding areas.

Members' Choice: Laeliocattleya Aqui-Finn

Grower: Jane Camarota

Nine flowers on four inflorescences adorned this hybrid of C. Suavoir by Lc. Irene Finney registered by Hausermann in 1974. The splash petals come from the grandparent C. intermedia (parent of C. Suavoir).