Today I went to the Townsville Orchid Society spring show to have a look at some of the spectacular plants in bloom, and to hopefully pick a few up for myself that were on sale. The show is being held from Friday 6th September to Sunday 8th September at the society's hall on Charles Street.
Apart from the usual suspects, there were some really interesting species and hybrids displayed which caught my eye (and nose). One in particular, Cymbidium canaliculatum var. Sparkesii was just incredible to view. The plant was super healthy and bold, with flowers just beginning to open (see some pics below). This is certainly a species that I would eventually like to get for my growing collection in future! There were also some awesome (near perfect) Phaius tankervilleae specimens, one of which had blooms up to nearly my height.
There were some good plants on offer too. Many good seedlings were available for some species that are quite unusual - I managed to get an advanced seedling of
Robiquetia cerina, and also the primary hybrid
Psychopsis mariposa alba. I also picked up (nearly missed) a tiny
Dockrillia cucumerina mounted on a tiny piece of cork bark, a healthy
Dendrobium tortile, and
D. aphyllum. I was disappointed however, that there were two separate vendors selling plants that were clearly diseased with
Phyllosticta fungus, which is easily spread between plants, and should never have been allowed anywhere near the exhibited plants of members, let alone at an orchid show! I was also surprised that several species names listed on exhibition plants were misspelled.
I have attached some pics below:
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| Ansellia africana |
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| Bulbophyllum Ambrosia |
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| Chysis bractescens |
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| Cymbidium Australian Midnight |
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| Cymbidium canaliculatum var. Sparkesii |
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| C. canaliculatum var. Sparkesii close-up |
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| Cynorkis fastigiata |
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| Dendrobium Aussie Sweetness |
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| Dendrobium capituliflorum |
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| Dendrobium farmeri |
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| Dendrobium lindleyi |
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| Dendrobium secundum alba |
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| Dendrobium secundum |
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| Dendrobium speciosum |
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| Dendrobium tortile |
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| Phaius tankervilleae alba |
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| Phaius tankervilleae |
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| Phaius tankervilleae close-up |
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| Phalaenopsis schilleriana |
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| Renanthera Bella |
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| Trias oblonga |
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| (Vanda hindsii x V. luteola) x V. roeblingiana |
Slightly jealous of your Psychopsis Mariposa - wishing I had picked one up too :)
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