Manawatu¯ orchid show lights up spring

Vanilla – there’s much more to it than being the world’s most popular flavouring.

Vanilla is derived from a member of the world’s best-known and widespread family of flowering plants – the orchid.

For orchid fans though, any vanilla flavouring is simply a bonus. They will be turning up in numbers this weekend at Palmerston North’s Ferguson St Community Leisure Centre for the Manawatu¯ Orchid Society’s 45th annual spring show.

The event is something orchid breeders and society stalwarts Allan and Yvonne Rae eagerly look forward to.

‘‘With over 60 members, we are one of the largest orchid societies in the country,’’ said Allan Rae, who is also society president.

Part of the orchid’s attraction for growers and breeders is the sheer variety of shape, colour and scent the plants produce. There are even ‘‘bonsai’’ orchids with flowers requiring a magnifying glass to appreciate their detail.

‘‘Orchids are endlessly fascinating and the smaller ones, because they take up less space, are becoming quite popular,’’ Allan Rae said.

‘‘There are more than 35,000 different orchids and countless thousands of hybrids. They grow everywhere in the world except for the Arctic and Antarctica.’’

The Raes have converted their backyard into an extended orchid conservatory, with three plant houses covering 200 square metres.

There is free entry to the weekend orchid show tomorrow and Sunday between 10am – 4pm, with raffles, food and drink, commercial stalls, plants and garden equipment.