Today was one of the three yearly orchid exhibits we have in
Caracas. Except that last year, for one reason or another we had none,
so I welcome that this is the second one already in 2005, with the
third one talking place in late September. This one was organized by
the Sociedad de Ciencias Naturales, the oldest of the three.
Venezuela has been blessed with a huge variety of orchids, including
spectacular Cattleyas. Because we see them regularly, sometimes we lose
the perspective of what a wonderful and valuable thing we have. What I
saw today is difficult to see anywhere in the world. It was truly a
beautiful spectacle of variety, quality and beauty. At this time of the
year, Cattleya Mossiae, Venezuela's national flower, is the most
prevalent one. Today we saw an incredible variety of these flowers,
particularly dozens of the rare alba and semi-alba varieties, and very good ones at
that, as you can see below. Cattleya Mossiae grew in the mountains
around Caracas. European collectors are said to have taken millions
from the mountains and exported them. You see few of them in the
mountain, but there are many that have been made and preserved in the
laboratory by crossing and cloning. This one was one of those rare
occasions when a show takes place at a time that people (except me!)
have very high quality flowering.
I enjoyed the contrast with the exhibit in Dijon and here. I could
observe, contemplate and capture with my camera any flower I wanted in
relative peace, without any crowds at 9 AM, when I went to the show.
Natural lighting was good, even if it provided some challenges with
shadows and bright spots. Below, a small sample of the wonderful show
today.
  
Three groups of flowers by both private and commercail collectors
  
Another group of flowers Gaskellianas and Mossiaes Cattleya Mossiae galore!
  
Three spectacular Cat. Mossiae. The one on the right won the most prizes for these plants.
  
More spectacular Catlleya Mossiae semi alba
  
Cattleya Mossiae Cattleya Gaskelliana Cattleya Leddemaniana coerulea
9:47:47 PM 
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