Charles showing young visitors some prized orchids on display during the show at Straits Quay Retail Marina. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
FOR orchid enthusiasts, the Straits Quay Retail Marina was the place to be as it hosted over 300 plants for the four-day Earth Day Orchid Show 2024 in Penang.
Organised by the Federation of Malaya Orchid Society (Fomos), the event gave orchid growers a chance to exhibit their prized plants at a competition, where the “Best Plant of the Show ‘’ award went to a Vanda Plaingam nurtured by Tony Tan.
Tony, who is also Fomos president, took home a trophy and a RM300 cash prize.
(From left) Joey Lim, 11, Jaslyn Teoh, 12 and Chloe Tan, 12, admiring the Vanda Plaingam that was adjudged the best plant of the show.
The orchid show was opened by Kebun Bungah assemblyman Lee Boon Heng.
Organising chairman Charles Tan said this was the first time the show was held at this venue and not outside the Penang Botanic Gardens which was being upgraded at the time.
“Despite having a smaller venue, we attracted 17 stalls selling ornamental plants including orchids and pet products among other things.
Orchid enthusiast Robert Khor, 84, admiring some of the blooms at the orchid show.
“We had a host of activities such as workshops on orchids, terrarium and bonsai trimming, an Earth Day children’s colouring competition and a music performance to keep our more than 2,000 visitors occupied.
“There were also stalls manned by staff from the Environment Department and Penang Botanic Gardens for |visitors to learn about the importance of caring for the environment and the gardens’ flora and fauna,” he said.
Tan added that this mid-year show would be followed up with an annual show from Sept 14 to 22 at the same venue.
