Hothouse flowers on display

Len Munnings and Brian Harwood have spent years growing, experimenting and waiting for their orchids to bloom.

Their passion, along with some of the best and rarest flowers and plants, will be showcased at this weekend's South West Orchid and Garden Expo.

The Bunbury Orchid Society is using the expo to hold its spring show.

Other groups will be selling a wide variety of flowers and plants including herbs, roses, begonias, olives, cacti and bonsais.

Mr Munnings, 77, and Mr Harwood, 68, both long-time members of the Bunbury Orchid Society and orchid judges, showed the _Bunbury Herald _some of the orchids that will be on sale during the expo.

The society's members spend years growing different breeds of orchids - some that have been cross-pollinated in the quest to create the perfect flower.

Mr Munnings said that when he first started at the club about 40 years ago, orchids were exotic and mysterious because no one knew how to grow them in the South West.

But he said the flower was now more commonplace in the region after years of breeding and growing.

Along with the Bunbury Orchid Society's spring show, the South West Orchid and Garden Expo will have gardening demonstrations, morning and afternoon teas, and a sausage sizzle.

Entry to the event is $5 and it takes place from 9am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday at the South West Italian Club.