Orchids for Mothers Day

Society past president Ray McEwan with his award winning Aliceara Marfitch ‘ Howard’s Dream‘.

Noosa District Orchid and Foliage Society annual Mothers Day Show will be held at the CWA Hall, Maple St Cooroy on Friday 6 May from 8.30am to 4pm and Saturday 7 May from 8.30am to 2.30pm.

Beautiful orchids and foliage will be on display by society members and expert orchid growers will be available with advice including society past president Ray McEwan whose plant Aliceara Marfitch ‘ Howard’s Dream‘ won Champion Specimen at last week’s Sunshine Coast Orchid Society show at Caloundra.

Ray bought the orchid around 2014, transferred it from a pot to a hanging basket about five years ago and repotted it in increasing sized hanging baskets three times to its current size of 450mm diameter.

When Ray potted it in a hanging basket he made a T-post, fixed it to his back retaining wall and it has hung there out in the open getting a couple of hours morning sun, about an hour of midday sun and a bit of late afternoon sun, and whatever rain the heavens can throw at it ever since.

This year the flowering has been exceptional resulting in about 105 flowers on 33 inflorescences. It was awarded an Award of Cultural Commendation (78.8 points out of 100) by a convened judging panel at the Maroochydore closed show two weeks ago .

The aim of the Society is to promote interest in the conservation, cultivation, knowledge and breeding of orchids and foliage plants – indigenous, exotic species and hybrids.

Joining the local orchid society is a great way to learn about orchids and how to grow them.