This weekend there are two great places to see a great range of plants.
The Rockhampton Bromeliad Group are conducting their annual Bromeliad and Tillandsia Sale at the Rockhampton Showgrounds Robert Schwarten Pavilion the Starting Saturday from 8am to 2pm and Sunday from 9am to 12pm.
For a gold coin entry you can come and gain advice and information about these unique plants from the Bromeliad and Tillandsia sellers and guest speakers.
The Rockhampton Orchid Society will conduct their Spring Orchid Show at the Frenchville Sport Club.
Come along and see massed displays of beautiful Spring flowering orchids.
Plants and potting materials will be on sale as well as potting demonstrations will be given throughout the show.
If you have any orchids you require advice about, please bring them along to the show for the resident Plant Doctor to help.
The show will open on Saturday the 24th September from 8am to 4pm and on Sunday 25th of September from 8am to 2pm.
Admission to the show is $5 for adults and children free.
What to look out for at the orchid show
At this year’s Spring Orchid Show there should be numerous displays of Cattyeyas, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums and Vandas.
The Dendrobium Orchids are among the most commonly sold Orchids within the retail trade. Like a lot of other Orchids, Dendrobiums are Epiphytes, or Air Plants.
These Orchids have well developed water storage organs that are called Pseudo Bulbs which are often called canes for their upright leafy appearance.
Dendrobiums are separated into two main groups Hard Cane and Soft Cane.
Hard Cane Dendrobiums have tall Pseudo Bulbs that are very thin and their foliage is generally darker in colour than the Soft Caned Dendrobiums.
Hard Cane Dendrobiums are evergreen and often keep their leaves for many years before shedding their leaves.
The Cooktown Orchids is part of the Hard Cane Dendrobium Orchid sub group.
Dendrobiums will grow quite happily in glasshouses or shade houses, depending on variety. Most Dendrobiums prefer temperatures in the range of 18 to 35 °C highs during the day and 8 to 15 °C lows at night, but they will tolerate higher temperatures if the humidity and air circulation are good.
They require sufficient light for healthy growth and flower production.
In a shade house situation, shading with 50 to 70 per cent shade cloth is ideal.
Plants receiving adequate light should be naturally erect without the need for much staking, and be of medium to olive green in colour.
They should be watered thoroughly and kept evenly moist while in active growth.
Allow them to dry between watering after the growth is mature as indicated by the terminal leaf.
Vandas are interesting as the plants have their aerial root system.
Vandas are known for their large flower size and vibrant colours which can appear at any time of year.
The heaviest flowering season is in Summer after the bright light of Spring initiates flower spikes. Keep the mix moist when the plant buds or starts flowering.
Remember Vandas require medium to bright light with 50 per cent shade.
They are native to Southeast Asia, where they have adapted to prefer bright light, warm temperatures, and high humidity.
Cattleyas are always referred to as the Queen of Orchids.
These Orchids are the best for beginners as they will be tolerant to those mistakes when you first grow Orchids yet it will still produce a great flower display.
Growing Cattleyas they will need to be located with good light, early morning sunlight is most beneficial.
Cymbidiums are always a crowd favourite and will please show goers again this.
These Orchids are native to most of Asia and even North Queensland.
Cymbidiums will flower from mid-winter to early Spring. A strange feature of Cymbidiums is the new growth starts to develop even while the plants are still flowering.
Cymbidiums will require plenty of air movement and light especially during the summer months.
