The Sapphire Coast Orchid Club presented its Winter Orchid Show at Twyford Hall, Merimbula, from 12th to 14th August. Visitors were treated to a spectacular display of Cymbidium orchids which filled the hall with colour. They were supported by a good contingent of Australian Native orchids with their subtle scent that filled the room.
The Grand Champion of the show went to Bob and Cheryle Watters from Kalaru, a “Slipper Orchid” that not only was judged best in show but also Champion Specimen and Champion Paphiopedilum. The plant, Paphiopedilum Nitens, had 10 very good flowers which displayed nicely above the foliage to make a big impression on the Judges who had travelled from Drouin, Wagga and Canberra.
Reserve Champion went to an Australian Native orchid, Dendrobium Coote ‘Mem. Jim Rentoul’ which also was Champion Australian Native grown by Michael Wood from Kalaru. This beautifully grown plant had a spectacular display of large pink and white flowers showing just what can be done with our native orchids.
Bob and Muriel Bell from Eden are no strangers to the Champions bench, and they did not disappoint, presenting some well grown Cymbidiums taking out the over 90 mm Class with Cym. Golden Embers ’Golden TP’, a warm yellow flower. The under 60 mm Class with Cym. Willunga Regal ‘National Show’ a deep red, almost black Cymbidium. Their other passion is Masdevallia orchids, and they presented Masd. Richard’s Tongue ‘Perfect Stripe’, a yellow flower with clear dark stripes to win the Champion Any Other Orchid. Not to be out done their petite Cattleya Hawaiian Beau x C. pumila with it’s almost perfect purple flower won the Champion Laeliinae Class. These Champions together with their other wins in the room left them taking home the Most Successful Competitor Trophy once again. Without a doubt the most successful members our Club has seen.
Keith Barrett from Nethercote presented a well shaped orange flower with a fine stripe, Cymbidium Harbour City Lights, to win the 60 mm – 90 mm Cymbidium Class. Budding grower Jeff Knox showed a first flowering Cymbidium seedling, Cym. Arcadian Sands x Traces ‘Gold’ to win the Champion Cymbidium Seedling Class. John and Irene Stubbs’ Rhyncostylis gigantea, a favourite with the Judges, with its dark pink and white flowers, was awarded Champion Species.
In the Novice ranks, Kaye Bowles from Towamba made her first Journey to the Champions bench with a very nice pot of Australian Native terrestrial Orchids to win the Novice Champion. Helen Fraser from Bega threw out a Challenge to all members with her very interesting floral displays one of which earned her Champion Floral Art.
New member Luc Sedaitis displayed some very interesting Terrariums featuring ferns and fern allies that took the Judges eye and was awarded Champion Fern or Foliage for his effort.
Congratulations to all winners, exhibitors, and helpers for putting on another great show.
Sapphire Coast orchid Club would like to thank our Major Sponsors, Robert Smith Complete Furnishers of Pambula, The Bendigo Bank, and The Little Bouquet Florist of Merimbula for their very generous support of our Show.
