~ ~ ~ All content Copyright 2003 on behalf of its creators; please obtain permission for anything besides private, noncommercial use ~ ~ ~

Theme: "New York Botanical Gardens"

[Editor's note: Clicking on either half of the main picture downloads a larger version of that half. Also, the "trip to China" link loads a 2-meg Flash presentation -- if anyone loads this via a dial-up connection, please whether the performance was ok.]

Notes by Tara Catalino: Orchids have always been one of my favorite flowers, but lately they've been very much in the forefront of my mind. It started with the movie Adaptation, and then continued during my trip to China. While in China, I was in the Yunnan province which is know for its orchids.

When I returned from my trip, I was pleased to see that there was an orchid show at the New York Botanical Gardens. In an effort to celebrate the arrival of spring like conditions in NYC, I went to see it. The show was great and featured many different varieties of orchids. By the end of the show, I was smitten and intent on buying an orchid plant to take home with me. (I should mention now that I have a black thumb) Now, I had always heard that they were difficult to keep, but at the same time - I could clearly recall seeing them for sale at Kmart. I figured if they could survive there, surely they could survive in my small, East Village apartment!

I spoke at length with a worker in the garden shop who explained to me that some orchids were much more forgiving than others. That gave me some hope. But then I looked at the price tags! There wasn't a decent looking plant for under $85. The worker explained that it takes a long time to grow an orchid plant and that most of the plants in the store were at least 5 years old.

I guess I will wait for the next blue light special....