Flowering inspiration
Durban North resident urges community to support the Natal Orchid Society's annual Autumn Orchid Show.
ORCHIDS have been a passion of Durban North resident, Melanie van Greunen, for most of her life.
Van Greunen, who is the vice-president of the Natal Orchid Society (NOS), said she fell in love with the perennial plants when she was only five years old. A chance encounter with a glass atrium filled with the fabulous flowers started the lifelong avocation.
She is also currently studying towards being an official orchid judge.
Last week, the Northglen News caught up with the orchid enthusiast to learn more about the NOS’s annual Autumn Orchid Show to be held on 16 and 17 April.
“We are inviting all orchid lovers and keen gardeners to visit the show where these plants will be on display,” she said. Miltonias, phragmipediums, dendrobiums and vandas are just some of the species that will be celebrated at the show.
The event, she said, will start off with experts judging the submitted orchids. Once all of the submissions have been judged and awarded, the show will be opened to the public at 10.15am.
According to Van Greunen, the public can also expect various demonstrations and orchid sales. A raffle will also be held with a number of orchid plant prizes. Light lunches and refreshments will be sold in the tea garden. Entrance costs R15 for adults and R10 for pensioners.
“Existing orchid-growers as well as anyone interested in owning and nurturing these beautiful plants are also invited to attend the monthly meetings of the NOS. These are held at the Parkhill Bowling Club on the second Monday of every month from 7pm to 9pm,” she said.
Contact Melanie van Greunen on 083 456 0178 or via e-mail on reservation@fairwaydurban.co.za.
Tips for orchid beginners
– The quickest way to kill an orchid, said Van Greunen, is to over water it. She suggested watering an orchid once or twice a week.
– Fertiliser is also important for a thriving plant, she said. Feeding your plant a diluted mixture of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) will facilitate a healthy growing plant.
– Keep the orchid’s surroundings as close to its natural habitat as possible, she said.
– And finally, Van Greunen proposed that beginners start off not only with orchards that flourish in the Durban climate, but also species that aren’t finicky.
