General News
6 May, 2025
Orchids on Parade: A Blooming Good Day Out
The Stawell Orchid held another of its twice-yearly walk around events on Sunday, April 27.
The Stawell Orchid held another of its twice-yearly walk around events on Sunday, April 27.
The Stawell group was joined by members of the Horsham, Ballarat and St Arnaud Orchard Societies to travel around the district visiting seven orchid growers and their ‘orchid houses’.
“We had a fantastic time,” said Stawell Orchid Society member, Gabbie Chamberlain.
Each orchid house although completely different has produced award winning orchids and orchid growing tips were freely shared.
The days started in Halls Gap, with members checking out Roy Lee’s orchid.
“He’s very experienced, he’s been growing orchids for 66 years,” said Ms Chamberlain.
Ian Notting has an angry little orchid, Catastum Phileatum var imperial Pierre Couret, so named because if you get too close to the flower it will spit pollen at you.
John Welsh has grown a Victorian champion orchid “a Phaph. Villosum” from his orchid house of many rooms.
“An orchid house of many rooms is not unusual,” said Ms Chamberlain.
Mason and Colin both grow their orchids in the open under trees, Mason’s thrive in his garden spaces he laughs and says he has an orchid terrace, an orchid palace, an orchid hospital and those planted out in his garden are “homeless”.
The Stawell Orchid Society and the visiting orchid clubs had a great social day including a BBQ lunch and a scrumptious afternoon tea.
“To grow orchids you need a sense of humour and a lot of time however the rewards are priceless.’ Also, it does help if you pay attention to watering, feeding and the best growing position. New members are welcomed,” said Stawell Orchid Society life member Max Kennedy.