Sat the Ocean State Orchid Society held it's annual auction It went on for four hrs. without stopping because there were so many plants. Many of the vendors were very generous with donating some great plants . A&P Orchids donated some outstanding Paphs. Now I need to pay them a visit because I wasn't able to win any bids. There was a beautiful St . Swithin I wanted badly but no touching it with the bidders we had. Also as nice was Paph. Mercantil these were full grown plants with maybe one more bud to open . They gave us over a dozen plants. We had a good turnout and everyone who attended had a great time . Ray

Thanks for the news Ray! I had considered going, but it is a bit of a haul for me to get to RI. Sorry you weren't able to get that St. Swithin. I saw some of A & P's Mercatellis at the Mass Spring Flower Show. Thought about getting one but passed. My first Phrag was from them. I've never visited their greenhouses though. YET! :twisted:

Hi Heather if you go to thier greenhouses you will be in for a treat they are known for thier slippers. If you ever get up there you have to ask them to show you the house where no one is supposed to go into. but they will show you you just can't buy anything from that house so they say and if you get to know them some things are for sale but most is not but you will be drooling. They have things in that house I have never seen anywhere.Then there's four I think houses that you can go into but you can't walk through them they have plants that are for sale up front so you can view thoso and if you know what your after they will get the plants for you.I usually deal with Nick and he is very helpful and knoledgeable. He gave a talk at our society this past winter. Every one was so quiet while he was speaking that you knew it was interesting and he brought plants to sell so that made people very happy. I could go on but you get the idea it's worth the trip Ray

I also generally deal with Nick at shows. I always try to make a point of going and saying hello and updating him on my Phrag. St. Peter, which he sold me in Feb. 2004. He always remembers me. Last show it was in bloom, my first slipper to re-bloom, so special to me.

One of these days I'll get down to Swansea (actually it is closer for you than I, I think!) Sounds like a fun experience, though tempting!

Last summer about ten of us from the society got together and called Nick ahead of time and made plans to tour the greenhouses and he spent quite a bit of time with us and they always have somthing in bloom even if it is slow part of summer. Then we had lunch at a nearby gift shop that has all sorts of things for sale it was an interesting day. We are going to try and come up with another idea for a day trip this summer. Ray