GEORGE NEWS - The Orchid Society of the Southern Cape celebrated its 40th year of existence with a variety of exhibitions showcasing this unique flower at their annual spring show.
Chairperson Scott Ormerod says that orchids are so popular because it is one of the biggest flowering genres in the world.
They come in a wide variety of sizes and types and can require vastly different growing conditions.
The plant also takes much longer to start flowering than others.
A rose plant might flower in a year, but orchids can take seven years and sometimes longer.
"That is where the art of growing orchids comes in, because of the intensive process required to grow the plant until it flowers," says Ormerod.
He says there are more than 25 000 known orchid species and new ones are still being discovered. When it comes to hybrids there are more than 1.5 million orchid variations.
Winners of the spring show are:
Best orchids: Gladys Fick
Runner-op best orchids: Fiona Barnwell
Best exhibition: Johan Homan, Kalene Hartzenberg and Estelle Oosthuizen
Gladys Fick was the winner of the show for the best orchids with Fiona Barnewell the runner-up, while Johan Homan, Kalene Hartzenberg and Estelle Oosthuizen had the best exhibition. Photo: Jacques du Toit
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