Len's orchids take championship prize

It was a win years in the making when Len Munnings took out the prize for champion Australian native orchid at the recent Bunbury Orchid Society’s winter show.

Picture by David Bailey

The beautiful purple flowers, which began to bloom in June, have been a labour of love for the keen gardener and foundation member of the society.

‘‘The South West is a fantastic climate for growing orchids,’’ Mr Munnings said.

‘‘In some places such as Tasmania and Victoria they have to be grown in glasshouses.’’

The orchid society took about 45 of the members’ best plants to the Cannington Showgrounds at the weekend for an inter-society competition.

As a previous champion, Bunbury competed against seven other clubs, but was pipped at the post by the South Eastern Orchid Society.

The collective entry into the intersociety competition had some satisfying results however for about half a dozen members who won prizes for their plants.

Mr Munnings said it had been a ‘‘keen competition’’ and judges had looked for colour, shape and overall appeal.

‘‘No two plants are the same, like humans, every one is different,’’ Mr Munnings said.

The secrets to growing a healthy orchid is one members of the society keep close to their chests.

‘‘Everyone has their secret mix of fertilisers,’’ Mr Munnings said.

‘‘We have one member who gets up at 3am every morning to fertilise his orchids.’’

Next month, the Bunbury Orchid Society will put their flowers on display at the Bunbury Forum for its spring show.