PAUL McCarthy, a 64-year-old from Manly West, has been captivated by orchids for much of his life, and his passion for the unique and varied flowers continues to thrive today.
His fascination began as a teenager and remains strong, with his backyard shade house serving as a constant source of wonder.
“It’s the weird and wonderfulness of the orchid that I love,” Mr McCarthy said.
“I find them amazing. It’s not the foliage. It’s the flowers that are so varied and so showy.”
Mr McCarthy’s interest in orchids began after attending an orchid society meeting with his father in New Zealand.
Since then, he has studied the origins of each plant to ensure they receive the optimal growing conditions.
However, his journey to growing orchids in Australia proved challenging.
“I wanted to come here because you could walk down Adelaide St in June in shorts, singlet and thongs,” Mr McCarthy said.
“But growing orchids was very different.”
One example of this challenge is the popular cymbidium orchids, commonly sold in hardware and department stores around Mother’s Day.
According to Mr McCarthy, many cymbidiums only bloom once due to improper temperature fluctuations.
“Most of the time you get one bloom and that’s it.
“That’s because there isn’t enough drop in temperature between day and night times.
“If you put an ice cube in the tray at night, you will see it bloom again.”
Mr McCarthy explained that understanding the different growing conditions for orchids has been key to their survival.
“Some are grown in different countries, 5000 foot above sea level and at sea level,” he said.
“They all have different growing requirements, and they are all expected to survive in one shade house.
“We expect too much of them.
“That’s why Google is so good.
“I try to emulate their natural growing environment.
“Once you understand how they live in nature, it’s not that difficult.”
Working in his shade house has also become a therapeutic activity for Mr McCarthy, who enjoys bringing his favourite blooms inside to better appreciate them.
“That’s why you grow orchids in pots, so you can transport them to shows and inside the house,” he said.
Orchids require a specific type of soil mix, Mr McCarthy explained.
“Most orchids grow on trees or rocks so that’s why their soil is a mix of bark, perlite and charcoal,” he said.
“It’s a free-flowing mix that holds water for a short time only.
“In a regular potting mix, the roots would hold moisture and rot.”
Among his collection, Mr McCarthy’s favourite orchids are bulbophyllums due to the incredible variety of their flowers.
He will be showcasing his prized plants at the Queensland Orchid Society show at the Belmont Rifle Range on March 29 and 30.
Although Mr McCarthy doesn’t enter orchid shows for recognition, he has earned several prestigious titles, including Reserve Champion of the Show in 2021 and 2023, as well as Champion Specimen.
“It’s not why you enter,” he said.
“But it’s a great feeling to see yours as the champion plant in the middle.
“This is where, of course, you see those flowers and think to yourself I have to have one of those.”
