Caleb Lamond still remembers walking into his first orchid show 30 years ago, and he hopes those attending next week’s two-day Tauranga event get that same feeling of inspiration.

Tauranga Orchid Show is on September 6-7, with orchid growers displaying their flowers and offering plant sales and expert advice on how to care for the beautiful flower.

Caleb, who is Tauranga Orchid Society’s new president, is excited to pass on his passion for the less exotic varieties.

“I remember seeing the big, bright, blousy cultivated orchids in my grandparents’ garden and I didn’t like them at all.

“It was on bush walks with my dad that I discovered more delicate native orchids and fell in love with them.”

As a ‘plant nerd’ from his teens, Caleb was fascinated by the way orchids grow by naturally clinging onto trees.

“I distinctly recall walking into my first show and seeing the strange square bulbs and spidery, dainty, fragrant little flowers of Dendrobium tetragonum. I was hooked.”

Caleb now has thousands.

“They’re extreme, unusual and diverse. This diversity means there’s truly an orchid for almost any situation – and our climate here allows us to grow a wide variety of unfussy plants.

“It’s the kind of interest you’ll never get to the end of and I’m excited to pass that on to others who are interested in growing orchids.”

Orchid vendors from Whangarei, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Whakatane will be at the show; and bonsai, bromeliads, hoya, growing accessories and wooden birdhouses will be for sale too.

Tauranga Orchid Show is September 6 & 7 from 10am-4pm daily at Tauranga Racecourse, Entry is $3 per adult, under-12s gain free entry.