Winter Orchid Show Results

The Sapphire Coast Orchid Club presented its annual winter show at Twyford Hall, Merimbula, from the 20th to 22nd August. In spite of the recent cold weather, there were plenty of wonderful orchids on display, with the ever popular and reliable cymbidiums providing a blaze of colour. Australian native orchids were also well represented, providing a hint of what is to come in the months ahead. A variety of exotic orchids with their flamboyant blooms provided extra interest.

Eden growers Bob and Muriel Bell had an outstanding show, claiming a total of 5 championships, including Grand Champion Orchid of the show with their superb Cymbidium Khan Flame ‘Tuscany’. This plant carried a single raceme of 13 chocolate flowers displayed well above the foliage. It was also awarded Champion Cymbidium 90mm and Over. Bob and Muriel had more success in the 60-90mm cymbidium class with their Cym Golden Ransom ‘Golden Princes’, which carried 6 racemes of golden yellow flowers. This plant was also awarded Champion Specimen Orchid. Cym Tiny Tiger x Sarah Jean ‘Peach’ was awarded Champion Cymbidium Seedling. Bob and Muriel came away with the overall pointscore and received the AOC Trophy.

Reserve Champion of the Show went to Tura Beach growers Joy and Alf Rizzetti, for their beautiful Vasco Crown Fox Magic ‘Fuji’s Magic’. This charming orchid carried 2 racemes of light pink flowers beautifully contrasted by a dark pink and yellow lip. It was also awarded Champion Vandaceous Orchid. Joy and Alf enjoyed more success with their pink Cym Khan Flame ‘Fat Boy’ x Valley Splash ‘Awesome’, which was awarded Champion Cymbidium Under 60mm.

Shirley Bedingfield from Merimbula won Champion Australian Native or Native Hybrid, with her beautifully presented Den Avril’s Gold ‘Pambula’, sporting 4 racemes of deep yellow flowers with a red speckled lip. Ulli Cliff from Bega took out Champion Laeliinae Alliance, with her Pot Free Spirit ‘Lea’, and Rob Pollock and Brenda Western from Ulladulla were successful with their multi-coloured Paph lawrenceanum, which gained Champion Paphiopedilum.

John Stafford and Tracey Ainsworth were awarded Champion Species Orchid with their eye-catching Rhyncostylis gigantea, and were awarded Champion Orchid Any Other Genera for their Onc Sun Lai Wok ‘Geyserland’.

There was a very strong showing of novice and junior members this year. Champion Novice went to James Knox of Merimbula, for his very well flowered Cymbidium Gentle Touch ‘Bon Bon’. Patrick Rizzetti of Merimbula took out Junior Champion with his beautiful and aptly names Masdevallia ‘Dark Star’.

Congratulations to all winners, exhibitors and helpers for putting on another great show.

Sapphire Coast Orchid Club would like to thank our major sponsors, Robert Smith Complete Furnishers of Pambula, for their very generous support of our show.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Publicity Officer.

Ulli Cliff
Publicity Officer
Sapphire Coast Orchid Club Inc
PO Box 283
Eden, NSW, 2551