Camperdown’s Elizabeth Maher won champion orchid at Warrnambool Orchid Club’s show on the weekend.
CAMPERDOWN’S Elizabeth Maher knows more than most how good a year it has been for orchids.
Ms Maher’s white creek orchid, or Australian native dendrobium speciosum, was crowned champion orchid of the Warrnambool orchid show over the weekend.
She said there was no real secret to growing a good orchid but this year had been particularly spectacular for them.
“It has got hundreds of flowers on it,” she said.
“Some years they’re good and some years they’re not so good.
“They have a beautiful flower and a very strong perfume.”
Warrnambool Orchid Club secretary Helen Gower said the weekend event had been very popular. “We’ve sold lots and lots of orchids,” she said.
“It’s just been a very successful year for them. They’re blooming all over the place.”
Ms Gower said the reason for the orchid’s popularity was the variety and longevity.
“The flowers last a long time,” she said. “Roses are lovely but they might only last a week.
“I had an orchid which flowered for three months. They’re easy to look after.”
Club president Murray Coverdale said the show had been a success and he was very pleased with the public’s response to it.
cquirk@standard.fairfax.com.au