There’s no surer sign that spring has arrived in the shire as when the annual Southern Orchid Spectacular rolls into town.
The show attracts visitors from many parts of NSW and exhibitors as from as far afield as Queensland and Western Australia.
And there were some spectacular orchids on show at this year’s Southern Orchid Spectacular held at Caringbah High last weekend.
This year’s Southern Orchid Spectacular at Caringbah High School attracted large crowds over three days.
About 1,800 visitors admired the extensive collection of Australian native plants, as well as exotic species and hybrids from all over the world.
Visitors coming from as far away as Nowra, Blue Mountains, Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle were able to buy beautiful plants and view the displays created by local Orchid Societies competing for prizes and individual recognition.
A large Trophy Cup was presented to G and L Bromley and C Poulis for the Best Display.
The Best in Show prize went to Dimitrios Mitsios, who also won the Grand Champion Hybrid prize for his stunning white flowered soft cane Dendrobium “Swallow Queen”.
Grand Champion Species was won by shire resident Col Brandon, with his Dockrillia striolatum “Ruffles”.
For the first time the public was given the opportunity to vote for their favourite Orchid Society display, which was won by Sutherland Shire Orchid Society.
Orchids were sold in various forms, as large flowering plants from local nurseries, or as tiny seedlings in sterile flasks, many of which came from West Australia and Queensland, or were imported from Japan.
A new feature of the show this year as a competition aimed for local primary schools aimed at inspiring an interest in orchids.
Art prizes were won by students who grew orchid plants provided by the Orchid Society a few months ago, and they then painted the flowers that emerged.
“This was a big hit at the orchid show,” one of the show’s organisers, Helen Mason said.
“It was spectacular. People came into show and found a wall of colourful art.”
Gymea Bay Public School and Cronulla Public School each won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for their artworks.
The artwork was displayed at the Show, and First Prize was won by Ellira, in Class 4M at Gymea Bay Public School and to Bailey in Class 4P, at Cronulla Public School.