The November social meeting was exceptionally well attended. All those present were treated to a fine talk about the 3D paper sculptures the speaker, Mr Hopper, had created as table centres for his annual magicians convention. With their novelty he was requested to repeat the commission over the following dinners and his designs became more and more elaborate. His skills were further tested by recognition from the national group! We were told and shown how his designs were developed from earlier models. Bill Gardiner received two cups. One was for the best plant at the Suffolk Show and the other for winning the most points on the experts display over the year
There was a magnificent table display of orchids. The experts table was won by Bill Gardiner with his huge well flowered Masdevallea veitchiana. This plant has been split several times amongst society members but only Bill gets it to this size! It seems to flower at different times of the year as several years ago it was just as spectacular at the Suffolk Show. Bill keeps the plant in the cool house and constantly damp. He has found that in hot weather it can stand in a saucer with a small amount of water in which makes care easier when he goes on holiday. He has found that using “Rainmix” fertilizer has benefitted all his orchids.
The novices table was won by Andy Gissing’s impressive Cymbidium hybrid. Judging by the flower habit and appearance it obviously has a lot of Cymbidium devonianum in its background. He bought it a few years ago from a Dutch nursery that had a number of pendulous cymbidiums. He keeps it outside in a sheltered position from the last to the first frosts.