Spring Show 2017

26 September 2017

The Sapphire Coast Orchid Club presented its annual Spring Orchid Show at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre on the 21st and 22nd September. In spite of challenging conditions over winter, growers put on a spectacular display, which attracted many positive comments from judges and visitors alike. Colourful Australian native orchids filled the hall with their distinctive perfume, and were well supported by Cymbidiums and a variety of exotic orchids including Cattleyas and softcane Dendrobiums.

Club president Graham Gray from Eden is no stranger to the champions bench, and this year his beautifully grown and presented Cymbidium Kimberley Splash ‘TP’, carrying 4 arching racemes of perfect flowers was awarded top honours and judged Champion Cymbidium 90mm and Over and Grand Champion of the Show. Congratulations Graham.
Graham also won Champion Fern or Foliage with his Maiden Hair Fern.

Bobby and Muriel Bell from Eden once again had a very successful show, taking out all other cymbidium championships. Their eye-catching yellow Cymbidium One Tree Hill ‘Beenak’ was awarded Champion Cymbidium 60mm to 90mm, their dark red Cymbidium Radiant Ruby ‘Aussie Gem’ won Champion Cymbidium Under 60mm and their tall and shapely orange Cymbidium Durack ‘Big Boy’ x Kalahari Pepper ‘Sunset’ was judged Champion Cymbidium Seedling. Champion Specimen Orchid went to their towering Cymbidium Kimberley Splash ‘Teepee’, carrying 8 racemes of shapely blooms.
Bobby and Muriel were also the winners of the overall pointscore and were presented with the Maurine Cochrane trophy.

Michael Wood from Kalaru was successful with his beautiful yellow Dendrobium speciosum var. curvicaule ‘NRW’, gaining Champion Australian Native or Native Hybrid and Reserve Champion of the Show. Michael also won Champion Seedling other than Cymbidium with his pretty pink Dendrobium Warragul ‘Magenta’ x Flinders ‘Worlds Best’.

Ulli Cliff from Bega loves her Cattleyas, and her beautiful Cookara Tropical Snowflake "The Bells", carrying 6 racemes of white flowers with a pink blush, was judged Champion Laeliinae Alliance. Ulli also won Champion Vandaceous Orchid and Champion Species Orchid with her Papilionanthe vandarum, and her charming little slipper orchid Paph Raisin Jack gained Champion Paphiopedilum.

Jeff Lee from Cobargo won Champion Orchid, Any Other Genera with his dainty Masdevallia Peppermint Glow.

Champion Novice went to Garry Evans and Vicki Douglas from Wallaga Lake for their beautifully grown pendulous Cymbidium Marvin Gayle Royale.

Merle Danvers from Bega won Champion Floral Art for her lovely arrangement featuring cymbidium blooms.

The popular vote by visitors to the show was won by Graham Gray"s Zygopetalum.

Congratulations to all winners and exhibitors and thank you to all who helped make this show such a wonderful success.

Sapphire Coast Orchid Club would like to thank our principal sponsors Bendigo Bank Bega branch for their generous support of our show.

© 2017 Ulli Cliff