The event is on Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14.

Secretary Ken McNaught said the event will also see members providing information on orchid and bromeliad care tips, while there will also be plants for sale and displays of bonsai.

“The society is looking forward to the annual Autumn show,” he said.

“The recent extremely wet weather has made for difficult growing conditions.

“Nevertheless, we expect a good display of plants to be available for the show. In addition to the orchids, there will be a range of bromeliads and foliage plants also on display.

“While it is difficult to predict the exact number of plants which will be on display, our members have indicated that they all have quite a number of plants in flower so we expect the display to be quite extensive.

“The judges will be coming from the surrounding districts so we can expect the competition for prizes to be fierce.”

Exhibitors in the show are typically from the Port Macquarie region and surrounding towns. However exhibits from as far north as the Nambucca region, as far south as Foster and of course, the hinterland of these coastal regions are also expected to converge on Port Macquarie for the event.

There will be 11 classes of orchids resulting in over 80 different types of orchid plants being on display. There will be 10 types of bromeliads exhibited and a special section for ferns and foliage plants (non-flowering).

“In addition to the orchid and bromeliad show, there will also be a display of bonsai plants which have been grown in in the local region by bonsai enthusiasts.

“Members will make themselves available to teach orchid and bromeliad care by not only making formal presentations but also providing one-on-one assistance to people who are interested in starting an orchid collection or those who have encountered problems when growing these types of plants.

“Membership of the Society is not necessary to receive our help,” Mr McNaught said.

Members of the society will have a variety of both bromeliad and orchid plants for sale to the general public during the show period.

There will be members available throughout the show to help people with any issues they might be experiencing in growing either orchids or bromeliads.

There will be bromeliads for sale to the general public at the show through a commercial regional bromeliad nursery.

Port Macquarie Orchid and Bromeliad Society meets the fourth Monday of each month, from 7.30pm in the Rushcutter Room 1, Panthers Port Macquarie.

The 11th annual mother’s day extravaganza is at Panthers Auditorium on Saturday May 13 from 9am until 5pm and Sunday May 14 from 9am until 3pm. Admission is $2 for person while children under 12 years are admitted free of charge.