75th Philippine Orchid Society’s Bazaar at Quezon City Memorial Circle

Philippine Orchid Society‘s 75th annual orchid bazaar kicked off last February 11 at the elevated garden / runnex garden within the iconic Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Ms. Delia Pionela of Del’s Orchid and Garden Supplies

75th Philippine Orchid Society Bazaar

Quezon memorial shrine

The bazaar is in partnership with Quezon City government, Quezon Memorial Circle administration and Manila Bulletin.

Mr. Andres Golamco Jr.

There were 40 stalls selling different kinds of plants, cacti, bonsai, ornamental plants, orchids, aroids, flowering plants, gardening supplies among others.

entrance to the orchid bazaar

Unlike the previous shows- there was only one commercial exhibit which promotes hybrid papayas, celosia, vinca, marigold and seedlings for sale near the center of the bazaar.

Other Plant Shows in Metro Manila

We saw some familiar faces and new people in the industry, This is the fourth garden show within Metro Manila – Horti Filipina 2021 held at the Bonifacio High Street from February 4 to 14, 2021– which drew few people due to pandemic and restrictions in Bonifacio Global City ( BGC),Taguig. Arid and Aroid Colors Garden show held from February 6 to 16, 2021 at Robinson’s Magnolia drew a lot of plantitos, plantitas, batang maghahalaman and even new collectors because of the “BIG Scam Sale” last February 13, 2021.

King Louis Flower

Another plant show dubbed ” “Plant Fest” at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong from February 15 to February 26, 2021.

The orchid and garden bazaar of the Philippine Orchid Society is almost 20 days or three weeks!This will offset the lack of landscape exhibit, orchid and plant competition. While a live talk held last weekend about basic orchid culture was shown on the offical FB page of the Philippine Orchid Society.

We think it was quite long for an orchid and garden bazaar,at least customers will have a luxury to canvass plant prices from other bazaars and plant centers in other parts of Metro Manila.

Out of the four plant shows, The Arid and Aroids Colors Garden Show really stand-out and a blockbuster hit! We still have to wait for the last few days of the “Plant Fest” in SM and 1 week of the 75th Annual Orchid Bazaar show and see the results.

It was good that in all of the show that i have attended, there were no entrance fees. The most comfortable ones were at Robinson’s Magnolia and SM Megamall. The air-condition was just right with nice people around.

With the relaxation of the quarantine protocols in the coming few months, visitors and plant enthusiasts wanted to view better and quality exhibits in mid-year shows.

75th Philippine Orchid Society’s Orchid and Garden Bazaar

Philippine Orchid Society in partnership with Quezon City government, Quezon Memorial Circle administration will be having the 75th annual orchid and garden bazaar to be held from February 11, 2021 to March 2, 2021 at the Quezon Memorial Circle elevated garden area.

75th Orchid and Garden Bazaar Show

Philippine Orchid Society will mark the Platinum Jubilee anniversary which was formed right after the second world war. This will be first of the two orchid shows slated this year . The next one will be held sometime late August to early September 2021.

There will be exhibits, orchid competitions, ornamental plant display, daily talks and bazaar at the evelated garden area, Quezon Memorial Circle within Quezon City.

Those who wanted to view the exhibit and orchids on display, it would be better to visit the show during the first few days of the show. As of the moment there is no posted schedule of daily talks and demonstration.

Entrance fee is Php 50.00 for the general public, Php 30.00 senior citizens, students and person with disabilities with valid identification card this was based on the last orchid show entrance fee.

For additional information on the garden show and bazaar, Please try to contact:

Secretariat :0917-848-5468 / Landline (+632) 795-735-24 ( office hours- 8:00am to 5:00pm)

Color Forms of Cymbidium Finlaysonianum and Arrival of Rainy Season

There were some backyard growers of Cymbidium finlaysonianum who posted their blooming orchids in different Fb group and social media sites since late May 2020.

We were again rewarded with the blooming of Cymbidium finlaysonianum clumps which were mounted in living Manila Palm (Adonidia merrillii) for several decades. The first specimen clump bloomed late April 2020.

Color Forms of Cymbidium finlaysonianum

One can spot the different color forms of the Cymbidium finlaysonianum from the actual orchid grown and photographed by the owners.  This also coincide with the blooming season of this species.

It was last June 11 when PAG-ASA , the local weather bureau officially declared the start of the rainy season in the western part of the country.  This marks the transition to hot humid dry season to the wet season. The transition happened when we experience more rain showers in April and May which signals the onset of the transition period.

The first specimen Cymbidium finlaysonianum started to send spike late April with 20 flowers and then another spike with 23 flowers bloomed within two week interval.

pale yellow form ( first inflorescence) 

This is the larger clump and having pale yellowish flower. The blooming season was late April to early part of May 2020.

pale yellow form ( second inflorescence)

The orchid species had been growing in our garden for at least 30 years. Another clump with smaller more compact leaves and smaller inflorescence developed on the last week of May and the bloom lasted only until June 8. Before the last flower wilted because of the intense heat, Another much longer inflorescence develop with at least 15 flowers.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum ( second clump with smaller flowers and compact growth)

We also noticed that the Davallia fern or rabbit foot fern had also grown luxuriantly. With a combination of slow release fertilize attached to base of the clump, weekly weakly regimen of fertilization program can also help boost the growth of both the orchid and fern. Some local growers would also plant bird’s nest fern near the orchid, which can enhance the aesthetic beauty of the mounted orchid.

A neighbor sometimes would collect small amount of cow dung ( manure) dry them for at least 3 to 4 months in semi-shade. She would apply it once in a while in their Cymbidium finlaysonianum especially during its growing period.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum with reddish lip grown in Morong, Rizal province ( photo courtesy of Mr. Gelo T. DL)

An FB friend from Morong, Rizal province posted his wonderful specimen clump of Cymbidium finlaysonianum which had more reddish lip and darker yellowish flowers compared to the ordinary clone. He told me that it was rescued from his grandmother’s ancestral house and could be at least 30 or so years old.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum grown by Mrs. Anita Are

Another backyard grower and lifetime member of the Philippine Orchid Society is Ms. Anita Arcebal Are who gladly shared her specimen sized Cymbidium finlaysonianum growing in a living tree within her garden for several decades in Baras, Rizal province.

A Cymbidium finlaysonianum variety flava  with pure white lip is grown by few growers. The orchid grows a little slow compared with ordinary forms.

Bibliographies and Sources:

Personal communication with growers like Ms. Anita Are, Mr. Gelo T. DL and Mrs. Fe Nanguil

The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 1 Quisumbing 1981; The Complete Writings on Philippine Orchids Vol 2 Quisumbing 1981 drawing

Second Print 1982, Manila pages, 86 to 91: Davis S. Reg and Steiner Mona Lisa: Philippine Orchids ” A detailed Treatment of Some One Hundred Native Species” printed by M& L Licudine Enterprises, Dongalo, Parañaque, Philippines 

Orchidiana Philipiniana Vol 1 Valmayor 1984

The Orchids of the Philippines Cootes 2001

Teo, Chris K. H. Cymbidium Pages, 44 to 49; Native Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia 1985, 2001, Times Media Private Unlimited.

Highlights of the 74th Philippine Orchid Society Opening

74th annual had the opening held February 19 at the Garden of Joy ( formerly called Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ) or Flower Garden within Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Evelyn Laviña

The event was organized by Philippine Orchid Society and affiliate plant society. The event started past 3:00pm and Quezon City symphonic band played the national anthem and opening band.

Congresswoman Camille Villar

Special guests includes Congresswoman Camille Villar, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Evelyn Laviña , Taiwan Economic and Cultural Affair Office ( TECO) Representative Dr. Joy Ye.

crowd – photo courtesy of Ms. Lee Ann Canlas

Highlights

Bonsai and Suiseki Alliance of the Philippines exhibit

Among the big winners included Mr. Manuel and Susan Lee which won top prize in the orchid landscape exhibit. There is also several bonsai display from Bonsai and Suiseki Alliance of the Philippines ( BSAPI) and flowering bougainvilleas !

Individual orchid and plant competition among members and invited guests. Mr. Jan Lord Lumabao won top prize for his Vanda lamellata flowering orchid entry and second place in the Dendrobium discolor.

The 74th annual orchid show will have the daily lectures or demonstration with flea market bazaar with about 60 stalls selling different kinds of garden tools, plants, orchids, flowering plants, cacti and especially orchids.

schedule of daily lecture and demonstration

A minimal entrance fees of Php 50 for the general public and Php 30 for senior citizens, students and person with disability.  The exhibit and selling area opens from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily until the show end March 2, 2020.

The daily lecture starts at 2:00 pm from February 21 and the show is until March 1, 2020.

74th Philippine Orchid Society’s Garden Show

Philippine Orchid Society in cooperation with Quezon City government, Quezon Memorial Circle administration will be having the 74th annual orchid and garden show to be held from February 20 to March 1, 2020 at the Garden of Joy or Flower Garden within Quezon City Memorial Circle.

74th Annual Orchid and Garden Show

There will be trade fairs, landscape exhibits, orchid, ornamental plant competition, daily lecture and demonstration.

Entrance fee is Php 50.00 for the general public, Php 30.00 senior citizens, students and person with disabilities with valid identification card this was based on the last orchid show entrance fee.

Contact Information: Ms. Jenny Rivera or Mr. Jiffy Alegre ( Secretariat)

0917-848-5468 / Landline (+632) 795-735-24

Office Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm