Paph. Haur Jih Isabel 'Belle of the Ball' FCC/AOS

[lori.b]

I was thrilled to receive my first FCC at a recent show in Victoria, BC. Not only did the AOS judges like my paph but the ribbon judging team also awarded it Best Paphiopedilum, Best First Bloom Seedling and Grand Champion. Some of you will recall the unfortunate mishap I wrote about in an earlier thread when one of the petals accidentally got torn off. I was advised by you good folks on ST to send the plant anyway and, wow, here's what happened. Several AOS judges told me that the rest of the flowers were so spectacular and the plant showed so well that the torn petal was barely noticeable on judging day. The official photos are on Orchid Pro for those of you who want to view them. They're a bit tricky to find however, but they'll come up if you type Paphiopedium Haur Jih in the search (leave out Isabel). Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and suggestions throughout the earlier thread on this orchid. It had the best possible outcome!

 

[big923cattleya]

You just never know what can happen!
What, with five out of six impressive flowers, I can see why it was awarded.
The color looks very rich, the markings are pretty clear and uniform in terms of stripes and spotting. P. sanderianum strikes again!!
Congratulations!!!

Too bad they can’t spell first!

 

[lori.b]

You just never know what can happen!
What, with five out of six impressive flowers, I can see why it was awarded.
The color looks very rich, the markings are pretty clear and uniform in terms of stripes and spotting. P. sanderianum strikes again!!
Congratulations!!!

Too bad they can’t spell first!

Thank you so much! And yes, I noticed that typo too. At least they didn't spell it with an "a", lol!

 

[CharlesD]

Excellent job! Thank goodness you didn’t leave it at home!

 

[PhilaGardener]

OOOOHHHHH! That's beautiful!

 

[Paphman910]

I spoke to a friend and he said that if the petal was not broken you would get 91 pt.

Wayne

 

[lori.b]

I spoke to a friend and he said that if the petal was not broken you would get 91 pt.

Wayne

I wondered about that and forgot to ask when I chatted with one of the judges. Thanks for letting me know. Honestly, I would have been pleased with an HCC or even a nomination so the FCC literally made my jaw drop. This was definitely a good reminder about "when in doubt, take the plant anyway". It was nice meeting you at the show too

 

[Roots]

She is quite spectacular.

 

[Morja]

I love seeing this update post with the official pictures, and congratulations!!! It's really a great story and a deserved award.

 

[Weaver]

So beautiful! Congratulations!!

 

[lori.b]

I love seeing this update post with the official pictures, and congratulations!!! It's really a great story and a deserved award.

Thank you. What a long strange trip it's been!!!!

 

[hkunberger]

I’ve been out of town with old friends and not looking at my phone. I’m just now seeing this and so delighted to see you and your beautiful Belle surrounded by that avalanche of ribbons! Such a wonderful fairytale ending. And very happy to see the two of you featured under a post that doesn’t read “I’m such a klutz “. Clearly, the AOS judges beg to differ.
Congratulations and well done!

 

[lori.b]

I’ve been out of town with old friends and not looking at my phone. I’m just now seeing this and so delighted to see you and your beautiful Belle surrounded by that avalanche of ribbons! Such a wonderful fairytale ending. And very happy to see the two of you featured under a post that doesn’t read “I’m such a klutz “. Clearly, the AOS judges beg to differ.
Congratulations and well done!

Thank you for such kind words! That put a big smile on my face (and distracted me from the big wind blowing outside as a huge wind storm approaches - we're hunkered down and happy the power's still on........). Belle is starting to lose her flowers now and her new growth is slowly growing so I'm pleased to see that promise of future blooms sprouting up through the bark! I hope you had a nice time away with your friends

 

[hkunberger]

I’m so glad! And I hope the weather has calmed down. I saw on the news that you were getting hit with 80 mph winds!! I’m amazed your power was still working.
And thank you-I had a lovely time with some very old friends. We’ve been trying to get together for quite a long time and it was wonderful to finally have it work out with everyone’s schedule.
Hoping you have sunny skies and light breezes very soon.

 

[lori.b]

I’m so glad! And I hope the weather has calmed down. I saw on the news that you were getting hit with 80 mph winds!! I’m amazed your power was still working.
And thank you-I had a lovely time with some very old friends. We’ve been trying to get together for quite a long time and it was wonderful to finally have it work out with everyone’s schedule.
Hoping you have sunny skies and light breezes very soon.

We weren't hit as hard here as other areas, lucky us, but it was very windy all night and into today and it's still windy this evening. My brother on Vancouver Island is still without power. Hopefully Paphman910 made it through the bomb cyclone without any damage. I hear things are supposed to be back to normal tomorrow - yippee!
Old friends are the best friends!