AGS show Loughborough Mar08

[Diane Clement]

About the Ophrys - it was part of a three pan entry from Carl; all Ophrys species.
But then as he lives in Wolverhampton (English midlands for our overseas readers), then it's positively in the banana belt from where you are sitting.   

OK, we're warmer than Scotland, but actually, Wolverhampton isn't particularly banana belt, it gets some of the coldest weather in England as it's relatively far from the coast.  Carl lives about half a mile from me and he is an expert grower of orchids.  My ophrys are a couple of weeks behind his so it must be more down to cultivation than climate!   

[Diane Clement]

Should be able to make Blackpool this weekend, we are even hoping to have have something to show, for the first time. Any tips out there for us 'show virgins'?

Look forward to meeting you again, this weekend, Mick.  Do bring something to put on the benches, everyone has to start somewhere.  If you need any tips on the day, come and ask, plenty of people there will give you advice. 
We hear the BD himself will be gracing the show with his presence so there should be a good forum representation  (we hope that Mr Buttercup may also join us this time)

[Diane Clement]

Diane, there is a pic of Anisotome imbricata in flower in this thread: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=45.msg415;topicseen#msg415 

Thanks for the link Maggi, I supposed I should have done a search, but I didn't remember it appearing. 

Nice pix, Ian, I thought you hadn't brought your camera 

[Maggi Young]

We hear the BD himself will be gracing the show with his presence so there should be a good forum representation 

Not sure that "gracing the show with his presence" is quite how I'd put it, but yes, the BD is looking forward to a visit to the Blackpool show next weekend.
He is staying with Susan and Darren Sleep on his English visit... those two kind folks are also generously going to be driving him around to his talks in Lancaster and Penrith.... really good of  them, and greatly appreciated.

[Lvandelft]

Thank you all for these beautiful pictures of the show.
All those magnificent pots!
For me very outstanding is the Anemone biflora. Such a colour.

[John Forrest]

Great photos you guys, just whetted my appetite for Blackpool this weekend.

[ian mcenery]

Nice pix, Ian, I thought you hadn't brought your camera 

Diane Just thought you should do some of the work 

[Martinr]

Mick, as Diane says hunt out some fellow forumists and we'll help you stage your plant(s). As you won't recognise me from my forum picture look for the bearded, grumpy looking Scotsman with a bald patch and glasses. If that doesn't work look for the name badges most of us wear. I'll have plenty of time to help as I have very few plants to stage.

[Martinr]

P.S. Mick, we must talk about Hemsworth. My granny lived there for many years.

[Maggi Young]

Martin R.... you did reasonably well at Loughborough, though, didn't you? 

[Martinr]

Only if you call a 2nd & two 3rds reasonable, expectations are geting higher these days (or maybe I'm just getting greedy ). As usual I'll need to wait for Lewisia time to score red success or the first schedule where my Crassula socialis and Sedum spinosum can find a home. Still better than a kick in the teeth

[Maggi Young]

 

[Mick McLoughlin]

MartinR
Mandy will be the one you need to talk to about that her family are from Hemsworth, I'm just a comer-in.
Will keep an eye out for you thanks.

[ranunculus]

I know it will come as particularly sad news to the landlords of Blackpool (and one or two members of this wonderful forum), but Mrs Bookeroo and I will be dipping our wrinkled old toes in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday....we are taking our grandson (and his parents I suppose) to Rotonda, Florida for Easter.....no alpines I'm afraid but, hopefully, some manitees, etc.
Back in circulation for future shows.  (Stop groaning Diane)!
Good luck Mick (et al) with your entries and....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLEY!!!!

[Diane Clement]

Mrs Bookeroo and I will be dipping our wrinkled old toes in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday....we are taking our grandson (and his parents I suppose) to Rotonda, Florida for Easter.....

And what sort of excuse is that   
Seriously, have a super time, plenty of pics (no encouragement needed there!)