ORCHIDS IN FULL SHOW

TOWNSVILLE’S tropical weather has produced a bumper orchid season, with the best to be on show this weekend.

The Townsville Orchid Society vice president Robert Rasmussen said more than 1000 flowers would be on show with growers competing for a winning place.

“Orchids are placed based on categories according to its species so there will be Phalaenopsis orchids, dendrobiums and antelopes,” he said.

“They’re judged on not only colour but size and shape, species and scent.”

Mr Rasmussen said ideal growing conditions had delivered a bumper crop this year.

“I think it’s just the tropical conditions. When we grow them indoors we actually try to replicate the conditions from outdoors,” he said.

“A lot of people call them weeds because they’re hard to kill but that just shows how resilient they are.”

Events manager Leonie Johnson said a range of orchids would be available to buy at the show, which runs from today to Sunday at Joe Kirwan Park on the corner of Charles St and Bamford Lane.

All plant sales come from local growers and vendors across North Queensland.

“We had a record turnout at our last show with more than 1500 people through the door and growers were selling out quickly,” she said.

“They’re a great gift idea too, and I think they’re starting to take the place of cut flowers in some ways because of value for money; some species last up to five months.”

Doors open at 9am with a $2 entry for adults.