Laelia tenebrosa

My second orchid, nicknamed Laelia. Here is the information on it:

Native to: Brazil. Laelia tenebrosa is found growing in the coastal state of Esprito Santo in forests on tree trunks and branches. It is rare and near extinction in its native habitat.

Plant Size: Medium to Large. The slightly compressed pseudobulbs of Laelia tenebrosa reach about 12 inches in height and have a single leathery leaf that reaches about one foot long. 
Here is what it is supposed to look like:

Flower Size: Large. 6 1/2 inches (16 cm).

Flower Description: Fragrant. Except for the color, it is similar to Laelia purpurata. The petals range from a dull olive-green to a dull yellow. In the best cultivated specimens, the color approaches copper or bronze. One source describes the flower as the color of raw silk. The lip is tubular and purple in color. The throat is darker than the wavy front part of the lip. Flowers emerge from a green sheath and there are usually three or four at a time. Unfortunately, the flowers are short-lived.

Bloom Season: Spring, Summer (June to August).

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Laelia tenebrosa is quite showy with striking flowers and is closely related to Laelia purpurata and Laelia xanthina. The plant and flowers show a close affinity to several of the unifoliate Cattleya species.

There are several awarded clones available for purchase. This species has been extensively used to create yellow and art shade Cattleya hybrids.

This is what it is supposed to look like:

Here are my plants (2 actually!) after being potted:

Porroglossum Nutibara

This is my attempt at growing an orchid from a seedling I bought at the Orchid Show on June 7th, 2014.

Here are the details on this one:

Name: Porroglossum Nutibara Luer & Escobar (Named for the local Indian chief Nutibara)

My nickname for it: Nutibara

Information: Plant is found in the montane cloud forest above Nutibara in the Western Cordillera of Antioquia Colombia at elevations around 2050 meters.

Here is a picture of what it should look like:

And here is what my Nutibara currently looks like, freshly potted:

Orchid Show

Went with Mom, Jacki & Bugg to the local Orchid show. Wow some of these are truly amazing. Here are just a sample.

Odontocidium Wildcat 'Purple Fairy'

Paph ('Avalon' x Ilemianum)

P. Virgo 'Zebra' x Bella Lucia 'Super'

Buds

I'm so proud of Lucy for having the patience with Bugg. They truly are best buddies.

Lent - Day 40 (Celebrate)

This is the final act: your chance to celebrate the journey you've taken and Jesus' incredible generosity on the cross.

This weekend I'm celebrating with my family. Spending time with mom, dad & Jacki. Then on Sunday with Rod, Dana and Ken. I'm lucky to have such a wonderful family.

Lent - Day 39 (Share Your Story)

Today I'm supposed to share my story about how God has come into my life.

Sorry but I don't feel he has come into my life. I'm not a religious person and don't believe there is one power. Yes there is something larger than mankind out there.

Lent - Day 38 (Wipe the Slate)

Forgive someone. This is a fairly personal challenge, so you may need to take some time alone first to think. Find a place where you feel most comfortable and ask God to bring to mind someone whom you need to forgive. 

This is generosity of a different, and in some cases more difficult, sort. Acknowledge it, knowing that you're doing it with His help, then get on with your day.

Lent - Day 37 (Be Second)

Ring up a friend, co-worker, or neighbour. You could pick your spouse or child if you’d like. Tell them you've got some free time and let them know you'd like to spend time with them. Arrange to meet up wherever they fancy. Let another person lead your schedule. For today, or for a block of today, another person's priorities are going to be above your own.

Lent - Day 36 (Share your Lunch)

Re-appropriate your lunch break. Make or buy your lunch as usual, then use it towards a greater end than your own full stomach. Share it. Perhaps even make an extra sandwich, just in case. It could be to build a friendship over food with someone who only had time to grab a Twix from the office cafeteria. Maybe you'll find yourself feeding a hungry person you meet on the street

The key is to be smart and compassionate with the normal food that you're blessed with every day.

I ate at my desk as per normal as the kitchen at work is always full and there is not enough room for everyone. Unless I wanted to eat at 11 could I get a seat, but seeing my meeting ran till noon that is kind of hard.

Work

Who says work has to be boring!?!?!

Lent - Day 35 (Gospel)

Today's act is to preach. Well that isn't going to happen. This is something I don't believe in so I'm not going to be doing this act today. I'll find something else positive to complete today.

The Sun is shining and it is supposed to be nice out so I'm sure I can come up with something.

Have a good one!

Young Bugg

Lent - Day 34 (Date in their Diary)

Heads up! Next Saturday – Easter Saturday – we’re going to ask you to throw a party, or some kind of generous event, for your immediate community. Today’s the day to send out invites and start thinking about the kind of event you’d like to host.

Next weekend we are having Easter at Mom & Dad's but on Sunday. Time for us all to get together and celebrate how lucky we are all able to still get together. Here's hoping Uncle Ken will show as well.

SDDA Designated Odour Test

We passed our odour test today in 9 seconds flat. I'm so proud of Lucy.

Our test:

http://youtu.be/epsnhhpJa6s

Lent - Day 33 (Soapbox)

Find a petition for change that resonates with you and sign it. The online ones usually have a social media sharing feature that we rapidly scroll away from; today, let the world (or your 300 followers) know. Alternatively, write a letter to your local councillor about an overlooked wrong in your area. Whatever you do, today, wear your heart on your sleeve about an injustice that gets you riled up.

My heart is always on my sleeve but I never took any action today.

Lent - Day 32 (Clear Out)

Time for a clear out! Don’t stop at the fashion howlers, go through your wardrobe and take out any good quality clothes that you no longer use or never cut the tags off and re-gift them to a charity shop. If you’ve got friends or family who are low on clothes, send them in that direction.

Or – and here's a bigger challenge for the fashionistas among us – pick out a couple of items you're too attached to and give them away too.

So I jumped ahead and had already done this. I'm on a roll!

Lent - Day 31 (Be Crafty)

We’re about to make a mess and create some smiles. Need some ideas for a crafty gift? Mixtapes aren’t just for high school. Think back and remember a friend who you were close to once, but haven’t spoken to in a while. Put a playlist together and send it their way, digitally or physically. For the more craft-stall-minded out there, you could go down the scrapbook or photo album route. You don’t need a bunch of specialist equipment to make something special.

I've been working on being crafty for over a month now. I'm sewing up some peanuts material to make a few quilts for a fellow Peanut lover. It has been a long process but I have all the material cut out now and just need to sit down and start sewing.

Lent - Day 30 (Meet a Need)

Do you know where the local needs are in your area? Foodbanks are a fantastic way for churches to be involved in the frontline of the community. Get in touch with the one nearest to you today and find out if you can donate any stuff that they're low on. There are other ways to get on board with today's challenge. You could also volunteer your time at a homeless shelter, or help out at a youth club. Go beyond your usual boundaries and see where you can join those who are meeting bigger needs across your community.

How fitting. Today I had "donated" some clothing to the local donation box. Interesting how fate works.

Lent - Day 29 (Well Versed)

Today's act is to hop on to any social network and post your favorite Bible verse, along with a brief message to say why it means something to you. Since I have no idea what any verses are in the Bible there really isn't much for me to post!

Lent - Day 28 (Go Guerrilla)

Act for today.... Today you're going to be a well-kept secret. Try to find a way to meet somebody's need without telling them. Clean a neighbour's car when they're not looking, do a bit of gardening in a public place (as long as it’s not illegal!), pick some litter on the high street. The spontaneity is key (and also generally adds to the fun). Guerrilla generosity is all about catching people off guard and doing something unexpected. Let us know what you get up to!

This one I didn't accomplish today but I am going to keep in my back pocket to do in the near future.