At the Orchid Club of South Australia’s May meeting it was very pleasing to see the number of plants put up for judging by schools participating in the Orchids In Schools program. Three of the five schools involved in the program had plants entered and once again were well rewarded for their growing efforts. A special mention must be made of the students of Kildare College who presented their first plant for judging at a monthly cultural meeting. Hopefully this will be the start of a successful year for them. Congratulations to all the prize winners, the full list of results will be in the June edition of the Bulletin.

Pictured are some of the plants entered for judging in Second Division. It must be remembered that the students are competing against adult club members at monthly meetings and three Major Show competitions. Only the Horticultural Orchid Competition at the Royal Show has a Student Section.
The next major OCSA Show is the Winter Show to be held on the 11th and 12th of July. Hopefully the students can win a few prizes.
The Royal Adelaide Show Orchid Competition is held in early September. Get your entry forms and start to prepare your plants. Remember that OCSA is refunding all nomination fees again this year for their members so don’t hold back and make the Schools Competition a major success again. Last year the Schools Competition plants made up 10% of the entire composite display.
On Friday May 8th two students from the Willunga High School Orchid Club and I had the pleasure of being involved in a radio interview at Tribe FM, Willunga. With Willunga H.S. Alternative Project Manager, Mr. Jeff Glass, also joining the discussion, two of the students told the listeners about their activities and achievements in the orchid club. Thanks to presenter Dimitri and Tribe FM for their ongoing involvement with the students.

Best Wishes and good growing.
Trev Garard , OCSA Education Officer.