More than 1700 orchid enthusiasts attended the first September Orchid Spectacular at Kialla over the weekend.
Run by the Goulburn Valley Orchid Club, it was the first time the September event had been held since 2019, with the past two years’ events having to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The club was able to run its May event in 2020 and 2021, but numbers were vastly reduced.
Club president Chris Ibbotson was pleased about the numbers that passed through the doors at Kialla Paceway for this year’s event.
On Saturday, 1075 people attended, while on Sunday, more than 700 people came to view the orchids.
“I’m ecstatic with the numbers,” Mrs Ibbotson said.
“It was fantastic. We were back to pre-COVID numbers.”
Kialla’s Ron and Sheryle Robertson were victorious at the show, displaying the champion orchid: a cattleya orchid.
The couple also took home the reserve champion in show title with another of their orchids.
Mrs Ibbotson said the plant numbers on show this year were up on more recent shows.
“We had beautiful displays,” she said.
“It’s the most (plants) we’ve had for a long time.
“Everyone put entries in.”
Mrs Ibbotson was also pleased with the quality of what was entered in the show, given that the weather recently has been cold and rainy.
“The plant quality was excellent,” she said.
“Considering the weather we’ve had, the growers kept them looking beautiful.”
She was also pleased with the number of orchids sold by commercial growers at the event.
“They just about sold out,” Mrs Ibbotson said.
“It’s the best sales we’ve had in quite a few years.”
Those who went to the show were also treated to potting demonstrations — with two held each day of the event.
Mrs Ibbottson said the displays were almost at capacity, with 30 to 40 people attending each one.
“We had a lot of people wanting to know how to grow them or split them up,” she said.
Show winners
There were plenty of winners at the Orchid Spectacular.
Champion orchid: Ron and Sheryle Robertson (Kialla).
Reserve champion: Ron and Sheryle Robertson (Kialla).
Best orchid by an open exhibitor: Chris and Lindsay Ibbottson (Tatura).
Best orchid by an intermediate exhibitor: Ron and Sheryle Robertson (Kialla).
Best orchid by a novice exhibitor: Robin Hobson (Wangaratta).
Best cymbidium: Chris and Lindsay Ibbottson (Tatura).
Best laeliinae: Ron and Sheryle Robertson (Kialla).
Best Australian native orchid other than a dendrobium: Barry and Shirley Russell (Shepparton).
Best other orchid genera: Rob Martin (Shepparton).
Best specimen: Robin Hobson (Wangaratta).
Best species: Ron and Sheryle Robertson (Kialla).
Best floral art: Dana Tyack (Mooroopna).