Driving to Churchdown Community Centre in Gloucester on Saturday 7th March, I was reminded of the event I was going to, by the presenter on BBC Radio Gloucestershire announcing our Society Annual Orchid Show. But of course, that was not the first time our show had been mentioned on that radio station – Pete Wilson recorded an hour long programme, with members of the Society covering topics such as the history of our Society, General Orchid Culture and, of course, details about the show. The show was broadcast on the previous Sunday. So, did the promised events meet expectations? The simple answer is a resounding YES! By the end of the show, 482 people (almost the same number as last year) had paid to see the fantastic beauty of the Orchid in all its many varieties and range of rainbow colours.
But where to start – the plants, the refreshments, the tombola, the talks, the information table or the potting table? NO, I say, it’s the members of our Society who spent time planning the show for almost a year, the members who turned up with plants to be displayed, the members who helped with stewarding, serving refreshments and washing up; the members running the tombola, re-potting many plants and giving talks; the members manning the information stand, collecting entrance money from our visitors, helping set up on the Friday night before the show and clearing up after a long day. So, to all who helped in any way, a big THANK YOU! For without this help the show could not take place. To name you all would be dangerous ‘cause I’m bound to miss someone out; but you know what you did to make the 2009 Annual Show stand out from other Orchid events.
But, of course, we were supported by many ‘outsiders’ too; members of the Birmingham & Midland Orchid Society, Bristol & West of England Orchid Society and the South West Orchid Society, all brought plants to show off on their own displays; and Laneside Alpine & Hardy Orchids, Cotswold & Malvern Alpine Group, Peter White Orchids and Plested Orchids also came along to add to the beauty of the day. To all these, a big thank you from all of us! And, of course, not forgetting the two Botanical artists – Fern Harden and Monica Fisher, and the display of flower cards by Margaret J. Fitzpatrick.
By the end of the day, many plants bought from the orchid trade had new homes and we hope to see some of them at our Society meetings in six months time, showing their beauty many times greater than they are today.
So now, let’s get down to the plants on display. Our Society stand, again taking the centre floor space in the main hall, was square this year and as usual, was covered with many beautiful blooms. Cymbidiums were plentiful, with great blooms just oozing with grace and elegance, supported by paphiopedilums and other genera. A very interesting group of 12 paphiopedilums displayed together, all of the more delicate flowering variety and showing almost the whole colour range – if I had to take some plants home with me – PLEASE can I have this group!
Congratulations to Norman Eacott for his awarded Maxillaria coccinea, Leon Habgood for his awarded Paphiopedilum Clair de Lune and to Tom Price for his Cymbidium Christmas Joy, a large flowered variety in cream, pink and light brown (can I have that one too!) which won Best Plant on our Society exhibit and the Best Hybrid at our show today. Well done to these three members! For all our members who bought plants, whether one or many, thank you for your support! The exhibit could not be staged without your contribution.
The Best Specie at the show was on the Bristol & West of England exhibit, Coelogyne cristata grown by Richard Kellet. It is a plant growing in an estimated two-foot circular pot, overflowing with over thirty flower spikes and (with a little help in counting!) it was estimated to have over 230 two-inch blooms. There, that is pure white flower power! It’s ok Richard - I don’t think I have room for that plant in my greenhouse!
So, has the hard work been worth it? I think so, and I hope all the members who came enjoyed it as much as I did. And what have we to look forward too now – the annual show in 2010 on Saturday 6th March when we can do it ALL OVER AGAIN!
Due to editorial deadlines of the Society Newsletter, I have to get this article to the Secretary by 9:00pm on Saturday night. I’m glad I’m not a journalist – I don’t think I could stand the pressure!
To see who won the orchid competition, the answer was Phalaenopsis by the way, go to the