Spring Show Success! For Bowen Orchid & Foliage Society

For a club of 30 members, Bowen sure does put on a great show.
On 31st August and 1st September, Bowen Orchid & Foliage Society’s (BOFS) Spring Show was held in the Pat Tracey Pavilion at the Bowen Show Grounds with over 200 visitors passing through their doors to view the array of orchids and foliage plants.  
Although the show was held a couple of weeks earlier than in previous years, it still showcased an impressive variety of orchids and foliage for both judging and public viewing. Members from the Ingham, Mackay, and Proserpine clubs traveled to attend and enjoy the spring event.
On Friday evening, the Mackay judging panel, consisting of Dennis Farlow, Doug Penningh, Debbie Clark, Wayne Culla, and Jay Turner, carried out the judging duties. The event offered an excellent opportunity for the junior judges to develop and refine their skills.
Various Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Paphiopedilum and Vandaceous orchids were all represented.  
The Foliage competition was also equally amazing and included displays of Stunning Tassel ferns, gorgeous Tillandsias, Cactus & Succulents, Bromeliads, Aglaonemas, Philodendrons, Anthuriums, Caladiums, Ferns and Begonias.  
The Show had something for every garden enthusiast.
The event also had potting demonstrations conducted by BOFS member Brian Stapleton and helper Peter Millward followed by fertilising and disease management demonstrations by Noel Acton which were well attended by the visitors and members.  
In the dry tropics, a combination of bark, stone, charcoal, and large perlite is used for potting most orchids. The fertilising and disease management demonstration provided novices with insight into the purposes of various products and their specific applications.
A wide variety of orchids and plants were sold, with most of the inventory disappearing by lunchtime on Saturday.
On the Saturday evening, members celebrated their successes with a judging review of the winning orchids followed by dinner and dessert.
BOFS Club President, Liane Carruthers, presented the trophies to the winners.
Champion Foliage was won by Doug Chippendale with his Tassel fern and Reserve Champion was won by Brian Stapleton with his Maiden Hair Fern.

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