The best gardening news this week is the Spokane Orchid Society Show this weekend, March 27-29. Karla, one of our members stopped to pick up my plants for the show on her way to pick up plants from Ray and his wife. She has taken plants to the show the last four years and set up the display. After spending the weekend with her sister she brings them all back home, along with ribbons and awards. Here is the box and a closer shot of Cattleya Bob Betts.

Two of the plants I had planned to send were slow to open so they stayed home. The Encyclia bractescens has 35 buds but only 11 are open, and the Phal. Ida Fukumura x Doritis pulchima cross has 11 buds but only three were open. By the time the Bozeman show starts April 17-19th these may be done blooming but hopefully others will be ready. The Helena show is mid-May.

Despite the weather I had planned on starting garden cleanups today, but the weather dawned gloomy and dreary, much like the prediction for tomorrow, Tuesday and Thursday. Be prepared; I’ll soon be there.