THE Millicent Orchid Society’s annual spring show was in full bloom over the Labour Day long weekend for its 29th year of exhibition.
Growers and floral enthusiasts converged at the St Alphonsus Hall over three days to view exquisite flowers from over 100 plants.
A variety of orchids was on display from members of the society vying for the coveted title of grand champion.
The honour went to Millicent Orchid Society president David Thwaites for his powerful pastel pink Dutch-import Paarl Pearl “Jet Set”.
The variable orchid was also awarded the champion cymbidium over 90mm.
“I’ve probably had that one for about seven to eight years,” Mr Thwaites said.
“After I put it in, it has just grown and I’ve split it and let it grow a bit more.
“It’s got two spikes, but it had nine spikes at one stage.”
Mr Thwaites, who was awarded the 2015 Grand Champion for his slowly arching dendrobium speciosum or King Orchid, said the region’s climate was conducive to the plant’s flamboyant and colourful flowering.
“Cymbidiums grow really well down here because they like the cold,” he said.
“Sometimes I’ll take them from the area they are in and move them into the shed when it’s really windy.
“They are pretty heavy feeders though, so you have to give them a lot of food.”
The champion grower secured his sixth consecutive win in the champion cymbidium 60 to 90mm category with the Winter Fires “Frosty Tips” plant.
Millicent’s Val Langley won gold in five categories: champion cymbidium under 60mm, champion pleurothallidinae, champion any other genera, champion species and champion Australian native.
The champion oncidinae was awarded to Julie Hoffman’s “Sweet Sugar” plant, while Anne Trommelen was awarded first place in the champion laeliinae category for her Soph. Jeanie Woolf plant.
Mr Thwaites said a number of attendees had visited the event over its three-day duration.
“It has been excellent and we have had a steady flow of visitors all weekend,” he said.
“Plant sales have been great and people are very interested in the plants.
“A lot of people might not grow orchids, but they like to look at them.
“It might only take one glance at a plant to really get inspired.”
