Blooming lovely orchids on show (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Colourful annual show in East Oakley Village Hall
7:30pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter
Steven Langston, vice-chairman of North Hampshire Orchid Society
SPECTACULAR orchids were admired by visitors to an annual show.
The colourful flowers sprouting from pots hung elegantly in East Oakley Village Hall, were grown by members of three orchid societies – North Hampshire, Thames Valley and Wessex.
A panel of judges chose the winners, based on criteria recommended by the British Orchid Council.
Jonathon Loose, a British Orchid Council accredited judge, said: “There’s such a wide variety of orchids, it’s difficult to judge.
“Some of the orchids can grow more than one flower, so the more they have the higher they will be judged.”
Mr Loose said there are around 35,000 species of orchid, all of which should be looked after in different ways.
He added: “The best way to find out how to grow orchids is to join a society and talk to the experts.”
The North Hampshire Orchid Society has around 35 members and meets on the third Sunday of the month at 2pm in East Oakley Village Hall in Hill Road.
