African Violets and Gesneriads: Chicago (mostly OT), 1 by Keyring

Keyring wrote:
after some maddeningly busy days following some crazy busy weeks, I made it to Chicago in time for some botanic garden/conservatory/greenhouse/orchid heaven. Three days later I am back to work but still have plants in my head.

I was hoping to share photos of gesneriads with you but I only saw two...... This is one - it's kohleria hirsuta in a basket.

If you are interested in my other trip photos, I am gradually uploading them here: http://flickr.com/photos/ki/ There aren't too many flower pics this time as spring is only just here and I took photos of things that I thought were interesting rather than colorful.

A highlight was the ghost orchid (leafless orchid that is disappearing from the swamps of florida and notoriously difficult to grow) that one of the commercial greenhouses has a knack for growing. They even had one at the sales booth where the air was dry and people everywhere. Just shockingly amazing.....