The exhibition table at the October 16 meeting of Bairnsdale Garden Club was overflowing with a stunning display of spring flowers, fruit and vegetables.
The floral art entries featured a lovely variety of native flowers. Another popular section was a vase of old fashioned flowers such as aquilegias, carnations, daisies etc., while a new member brought a magnificent orchid mounted on a board. The orchid was much admired by everyone.
Club president Tricia Schlitz warmly welcomed the 31 members and two visitors to the meeting. The Christmas lunch will be at Bairnsdale Bowling Club on December 11 and members are to take a Christmas gift along and swap their gift with another member.
The New Year picnic will be at Don and Su’s home in January. Members will learn more at the meeting today (Wednesday, November 19).
The guest speaker was Michael Hardy who is a passionate nurseryman specialising in growing mainly indoor and patio plants that grow well in East Gippsland.
He propagates his plants by seed, cuttings or tissue culture in his 84-square metre green house and sells his plants wholesale/retail and also at the monthly Metung Market.
Michael’s plant interest was influenced by his mother who specialised in orchids, and by his grandfather, who was an arborist.
The importance of fertilisers and care of plants was discussed at length. Michael has plans to extend his plants business, Barrowby Green, in the near future, and the garden club wishes him well in his endeavours.
The club’s next guest is Tanita of Barama Flax Creations and she will be demonstrating the making of floral arrangements, wreaths etc from flax.
Roses are the star performers at this time of year and members will be showing their best blooms at the November meeting, where the beautiful rose trophy will be presented to the proud grower of the champion rose.
It will be the last meeting of the year and will be held at St Mary’s Parish Centre at 1.30pm. Visitors can head along at 1pm for a friendly chat and view the flowers etc on display, and check out the trade table for a bargain.
