Winter Orchid Show

24 May 2012

The Sapphire Coast Orchid Club presented its annual winter show at Twyford Hall, Merimbula, from 17 to 19 August. Visitors were treated to a spectacular display of approx 200 orchids, filling the hall with colourful blooms. Cymbidiums were again the mainstay of the show, with Australian natives and 'slipper orchids' also very well represented. The judges congratulated members for putting on a stunning show, which was one of the best they had seen this year.

Grand Champion of the Show was awarded to a beautifully grown Masdevallia Copper Angel 'Highland', carrying 9 deep orange flowers and 3 buds, presented by Ulladulla grower Brenda Western. This charming little orchid was also Champion Orchid, Any Other Genera. Brenda enjoyed more success with her Slc Love Call 'Dal's Delight' which won Champion Laeliinae Alliance.

Eden growers Bob and Muriel Bell grow their cymbidiums superbly, and the judges rewarded them with a raft of prizes, including four championships. Their beautiful yellow cymbidium One Tree Hill 'Beenak' was awarded Reserve Champion and Champion Cymbidium in the 60mm - 90mm class. They also won Champion Cymbidium Seedling with Cym White Valley x Khan Flame, and Champion Specimen Orchid with Cymbidium Valley Winter 'Ultimate', which carried 10 racemes of lovely pink blooms, displayed well clear of the foliage. Bob and Muriel came away with the overall point score and received the AOC trophy.

John and Pat Tanner from Pambula also had a very successful show, and gained two championships. Their Cymbidium Fair Delight 'Polar Bear' gained Champion Cymbidium in the 90mm and Over class, and at the other end of the scale, their gorgeous Cym Ice on Fire 'Nikkietta' won Champion Cymbidium Under 60mm.

Don and Margaret Hayes of Narooma impressed the judges with their beautifully flowered Restrepia hemsleyana 'Cow Hollow' which was awarded Champion Species Orchid. Joy Richardson of Tura won Champion Vandaceous Orchid with her Ascda Brighton Best 'Selected', and Champion Australian Native with her very well grown Dendrobium teretifolium. Matt Janjak from Batemans Bay won the well-contested Paphiopedilum section with his colourful Paph colorkulii.

Novice growers Wendy and John Tracey of Quaama won Champion Novice with their charming little species orchid Maxillaria cuculata., while Doug Schofield of Eden was rewarded with the Junior Championship for his very well presented Cym Ice on Fire 'Nikkietta'. The Floral Art was taken out by Kay Hewitt from Merimbula with a striking arrangement featuring cymbidium orchids.

Congratulations to all winners, exhibitors and helpers for putting on another great show.

© 2012 Ulli Cliff
Publicity Officer