The Ballarat Orchid Club will be holding its annual show this month.
THERE is something addictive about growing orchids – just ask Bev Bulluss.
The Ballarat Orchid Society show marshal says there is a real challenge in growing the flower, which is so varied in colour, shape and climate.
Now the city’s best will be on display, and in competition, for the society’s annual spring show at the University of Ballarat Primary Industries Training Centre from Friday afternoon. The three-day event will showcase members’ flowers to determine a grand champion and class champions.
It is also a chance to stock up or begin an orchid collection from plants on sale and gain advice from local and commercial growers.
Ms Bulluss said cymbidium and the Australian native dendrobium were the most common orchids grown in Ballarat but plenty of Ballarat enthusiasts also had the right heat environments to grow more exotic species.
“The show will be fantastic,” Ms Bulluss said.
“It’s a fantastic plant and a great challenge to grow.
“When a bud comes you just have to wait and wait and it takes so long to flower but when it does it’s so rewarding... they call it ‘orchid disease’ – once you start collecting, you can’t stop.”
Ballarat Orchid Society’s annual spring show will be open from Friday afternoon to Sunday, corner of Gillies and Gregory Streets. Entry is $3.