FROM seedlings to mature plants, Bruce Prebble guesses he has up to 700 orchids in his collection.
A proud member of Redlands Orchid Society, a group that meets at Birkdale Sports Club once a month,
Bruce has a passion for the unique plants that started from a hunting trip in Arakun, Far North Queensland, in 1990.
“I was out pig shooting with the locals, and I stumbled across a whole heap of orchids in the trees,” he said.
“There was a massive purple patch in the trees … I forgot about the pig shooting and got drawn to the flowers.
“I pulled a few out and took them home to Arakun and that’s what started me off in orchid growing.”
Bruce then relocated back to Brisbane in 1993 when he first joined the Redlands Orchid Society and has been part of the club on and off since, taking on many roles over the years and currently serving as treasurer and show convenor.
“I’ve always had a fascination with the complexity of the flowers on orchids; I love growing them and I love watching them build and bloom,” he said.
“I find it a nice, relaxing and passive hobby that’s easy to expand.
“I get a lot of joy out of it, and I find it quite soothing to be out there walking through the greenhouse and looking at the new growths that are coming.”
Redlands Orchid Society was founded in 1971 by a small group who met on the veranda of member Ugo’s home; Ugo still plays an active role in the club and turns 98 this September.
The club was started for the enjoyment and advancement of orchid culture in the Redlands district and has been instrumental in identifying and protecting populations of native terrestrial orchids throughout the bushlands of Redlands.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced growers in the society … it’s like a natural encyclopedia of information to talk to these people and learn from their experience and their failures with growing particular plants,” Bruce said.
“Part of the club is about getting new members in and helping them expand their experience and knowledge in what they’ve decided to take on.
“Getting new members in and keeping orchid growing going in the community is important to our club.”
The club meets on the third Tuesday of the month at Birkdale Sports Club from 7.30pm and is hosting its Spring Show at the same location on Saturday, October 12 from 8.30am to 3pm.
Up to 400 plants will be on display at the show, which will also feature plant sales, potting demonstrations, raffles and morning tea, with a large percentage of funds to be donated to the Redlands Hospital Auxiliary, who will have a stall there.
Email redlandsorchid society@hotmail.com, call 0414 738 110 or visit redlandsorchidsociety.org.
