Passionate orchid lovers in the Wimmera will gather with like-minded friends as a regional orchid-society competition sets up in Stawell next month. 

Regional Victorian orchid clubs will meet at Stawell’s Laidlaw Park for the 21st Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge on July 2 and 3 -– a competitive judging of orchids that will attract knowledgable orchid growers and eager admirers of the plant species. 

Stawell Orchid Society publicity officer Gabrielle Chamberlain said the society’s founding member John Welsh suggested the concept of an orchid-club challenge after a 1998 bus trip with other passionate orchid lovers.

She said Mr Welsh’s enthusiasm caught the eye of several country orchid societies, with his concept having later become the Victorian Country Orchids Clubs Challenge. “During a visit to the 21st Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge you will see displays from 11 Victorian orchid clubs presenting a selection of plants for judging,” she said. 

“This is a very competitive event with the orchid grower preparing each of their orchid plants fastidiously to be judged on number of flowers, colour, shape, presentation, size and texture.” 

Ms Chamberlain said Orchids Societies Council members would judge the event, however people wanting to learn more about the plants were welcome. 

She said attendees could buy orchids throughout the weekend, as well as hear from Kingston orchid-nursery owner Bill Miles at 2pm on Saturday. 

Judging occurs from 9am on Sunday.

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