Happy Halloween!

Pierre and I carved jack-o-lanterns for Halloween.  It seemed pretty festive and, if we carve them tonight, they should still be fresh and sassy for Halloween.  I used a paring knife to carve the holes and an old teaspoon to scrape out the seeds.  Pierre had some really cool micro-saw like tools that he uses for pottery.  I think they both worked out just fine!  Here are the results.

The Pumpkins, pre-carving.

Arnold's pumpkin, the one toothed wonder!

 

 Pierre's pumpkin, with the shy pumpkin grin.

 

 The finished Jack-o-lanterns in all their glory.  A little candlelight made them look positively scary (boo!).



Dendrobium victoria reginae

Dendrobium victoria reginae, hails from the mountains of the Philippines where it grows at about 4000 to 8000 feet.

Masdevallia macrura

Masdevallia macrura.  These hefty Masdevallias are found in Columbia and Ecuador from around 6000 to 8000 ft. elevation where they grow on mossy rocks.

Cattleya guttata

Cattleya guttata.  This clone resulted from the selfing of a coerulea type.  This species is native to low coastal dune habitat in Brazil.  At just under 3 feet tall, this is a first bloom seedling; they can grow upwards of 5 feet tall.  They pass along the glossy sheen and the upright multi-floral habit to their offspring.

Orchids from the Sunroom: Masdevallia princeps

Masdevallia princeps.  These little beauties are native to Peru.

San Diego County Orchid Society Fall Show AOS Awards

Lc Little Irene 'Lise' AM/AOS 80pts

Onc Alosuka 'Claire' AM/AOS 80pts

Phal Malibu Bistro 'Richard Waugh' HCC/AOS 76 pts

Guarianthe bowringiana

Guarianthe bowringiana blooming in the Sunroom.  This easy growing bifoliate forms specimen sized clumps with huge heads of flowers.  These are native to Belize and Guatemala.

Fall Color

A bit of color to brighten up your Fall Season.

Cycnoches herrenhusanum

Cycnoches herrenhusanum blooming in the sunroom.  This species is native to Columbia and Ecuador.

Scott Lost, Cartoon Artist

Scott Lost (a.k.a. Scott Epperson), former Pro wrestler, and now accomplished cartoon artist, displaying one of his first published works, Johnny Wrestling "Man of a Million Holds", at Comic Fest.

Jorge Pacheco at San Diego Comic Fest

Jorge Pacheco, one of the amazingly talented artists and comic book illustrators at the San Diego Comic Fest.  The San Diego Comic Fest was started by the founders of Comic Con, to refocus on comic book art and illustration.  His portfolio included my favorite Looney tune characters, Scooby Doo and many more!

Camp Pendleton Fire

The Camp Pendleton Fire as seen from Mission Valley.  It reached around 1,500 acres.  I'm glad it didn't head South.

San Diego International Orchid Fair Awards

 

AOS Awards granted at today's judging at the San Diego International Orchid Fair at the San Diego Botanic Gardens.



(Blc Lois McNeil X C Valentine) 'Kathleen' HCC/AOS  

Cycnodes Richard Fulford 'Tyrone' HCC/AOS  

Lc Little Marmaid 'Lise' AM/AOS



Stanhopea florida

Stanhopea florida, in bloom in the back yard.

American Orchid Society San Diego Judging Awards for October 1, 2013

Cattleya Landate 'Feuerbach' AM/AOS, 81 points, owned by Renate Schmidt