Spring Orchid Show 2008

19 September 2008

Hundreds of colourful orchids transformed the Bega Town Hall when the Sapphire Coast Orchid Club presented its Spring Orchid Show from 18-19 September. Visitors were treated to a spectacular display comprising a variety of genera, from the ever popular Cymbidiums, Australian Natives and Slipper orchids, to the less frequently seen Masdevallias, Cattleyas and Oncidiums. It was wonderful to see such a strong showing from novice and junior growers, with some very fine plants exhibited in these classes. Complimenting the orchids were a number of imaginative and elegant floral arrangements and a small but growing photography section.

Shirley Bedingfield from Merimbula specialises in Australian Native orchids and Masdevallias. She grows these orchids to perfection, and her beautiful Australian Native Dendrobium Lochiel ‘Golden Sunshine’ was awarded Grand Champion of the show, as well as Champion Australian Native or Native Hybrid. This very aptly named plant carried 3 racemes of perfectly shaped yellow flowers. Completing her scoop of the major prizes, Shirley also won Reserve Champion of the show with her lovely orange Masdevallia veitchiana x Copper Queen, which was also awarded Champion Orchid Any Other Genera.

The Cymbidium sections were again well contested. Brogo growers John and Irene Stubbs won Champion Cymbidium 90mm and Over with their first flowering seedling Cymbidium Jubilation Starlight x Ovens Valley Amy Eliza. It carried a single raceme with 11 pale green flowers with a contrasting red speckled lip. This plant was also awarded Champion Cymbidium Seedling. John and Irene have a reputation for growing very large specimens of Australian native Dendrobium speciosum. One of these fine plants, carrying 7 very long, arching racemes with well over 100 flowers each, was awarded Champion Specimen Orchid.

Champion Cymbidium 60-90mm was won by Tura Beach growers Joy Richardson and Alf Rizzetti, with their Cymbidium Anna Szabo Geyserland, carrying a single raceme with 10 pristine white blooms. Champion Cymbidium Under 60 mm went to Eden growers Robert and Muriel Bell, for their very well grown dark pink Cymbidium Gypsy Rose ‘Princes’.

Father and daughter team of John Stafford and Tracey Ainsworth from Kalaru had a wonderful show. Their striking miniature cattleya Sc Orpetic Roy x Lc Rosies Surprise x Slc Dream Cloud ‘Deborah’ won both Champion Laeliinae Alliance and Champion Seedling Other Than Cymbidium. This beautiful little plant carried a single white flower with a contrasting red labellum. In addition, John and Tracey also won Champion Vandaceous Orchid and Champion Species Orchid with their well flowered Rhyncostylis gigantea, and came away with the overall pointscore and were awarded the Maurine Cochrane trophy.

Novice grower Peter Macknight from Tura Beach was awarded Champion Paphiopedilum for his Paph villosum, carrying 4 perfect flowers. Champion Novice went to Susie Butler of Merimbula, for her very well presented green Cymbidium Cronulla ‘The Khan’ x Valley Zenith ‘Green Orb’.

Eden growers Bob and Muriel Bell were awarded Champion Cymbidium Under 60mm with their perfectly flowered Cymbidium Shoalhaven ‘Touch of Class’. Bob and Muriel had more success with their dainty little native Dendrobium Jonathan’s Glory ‘Dark Joy’, winning Champion Australian Native or Native Hybrid.

Doug Schofield from Eden again won Champion Junior with his beautiful miniature Cymbidium Sarah Jean ‘Ice Cascade’, carrying 5 pendulous racemes of pristine white flowers.

Champion Floral Art was won by Helen Fraser of Bega, with her elegant arrangement featuring glass bowls and Australian Native orchids.

Last but not least, the Photography classes were well contested. Graham and Adrianne Dempster of Tathra won this Championship with a digital image featuring Australian Native Dendrobium flowers against a blue sky.

Congratulations to all exhibitors and thank you to all who helped make this show such a wonderful success. Thank you also to all our sponsors, in particular Robert Smith Complete Furnishers of Pambula.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Publicity Officer.

© 2008 Ulli Cliff
Publicity Officer