Gardening and growing great plants.

Orchid Spectacular !

Last weekend the annual orchid show was held at the Springers Leisure Centre, just around the corner from Gardenworld. Folk came from all over Victoria and even interstate. Once again it was a packed weekend, and the standard of entries this year was high. The main reason being there was plenty of rain this year. In fact some orchids had 8 or more flower spikes yet were still well proportioned because of the bushiness of the plants.

In case you missed the show, here are a few photos. If you would like to see more spectacular flowering orchids, then get down to Collector's Corner at Gardenworld as they have hundreds on show and for sale.

 

Melbourne Orchid Spectacular 2010

Well I am very lucky working at Gardenworld, because as well as being spoilt by the collection of orchids at Collectors Corner, there is also the once a year event called the Melbourne Orchid Spectacular and it is just around the corner from the nursery at Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough. It is on this weekend, and I manged to visit at 9am on friday. The hall is split into 2 areas - the showcase area which is full of displays from orchid clubs around the state, and a sales area which is full of vendors selling an amazing array of plants.

 

At this time of the show, the showcase area is empty because the sales area is open for the first time and the die hard serious collectors are there to find the bargains and rare finds. There is a real buzz about the place, and it is a an icy cold Friday morning !

The following is some quick snaps I took of just a small sample of what was on display. I will get Earn from Collectors Corner to add some commentary to these picks, sometime during the week. Enjoy.

Cymbidium Orchids from Collector's Corner

Today's blog comes from our orchid specialists, Collector's Corner. They are one of Australia's most experienced orchid growers and retailers, and have hundreds of orchids in flower and for sale right now:

Cymbidium orchids are by far the most popular orchids to be grown in Southern Australia and in most cooler climates around the world.  Renown for their ease of care, hardiness, beauty and exotic mystique, they make a perfect gift.

Originally bred from wild orchids from the mountains of India and South East Asia they are well suited to our conditions here in Melbourne as the climate is very similar to that in their native environment.

Phalaenopsis Orchids - creating humidity, and watering.

Information by Collectors Corner

Often called a butterfly or moth orchid these plants have long graceful stems and beautiful and long lasting flowers. They are native to the Philipines and tropical Asia although modern hybrids have now improved the plant from the original species. In Melbourne, phalaenopsis can be grown quite successfully as indoor plants, providing some consideration is given to their special requirements.

Temperature: Phalaenopsis are happiest in a humid atmosphere with plenty of fresh moving air,filtered or artificial light and a minimum temperature of 16C. In such conditions, the plant will flower for many months - white flowers last longer than pink (12-20 weeks vs 8-12 weeks). If minimum temp is 12C the plant will still flower regularly yet the leaves may not grow as large.

To create a humid atmosphere you can do either: