Just as the last of the garden flowers are coming to an end, the indoor orchid season is beginning. Pat Holt takes a closer looks at these beautiful flowers

There will be an opportunity to see some of these exotic beauties next Saturday when the Wessex Orchid Society holds its autumn show at Shawford Village Hall, near Twyford.

There will be a flamboyant array of colours and shapes -and masterminding it all is show secretary Tony Nappin, of Portchester.

He explained: "Our autumn show was originally for club members only.

"But it seemed a shame that other people could not see this wonderful display, so for about the past three years, it has been open to the public.

"We find that there seems to be a lot to please our visitors, even if they only have a mild interest in plants.

"It's ideal for anyone who is trying to grow orchids for the first time. These days, orchids are often sold at garden centres and even at supermarkets, so lots of people are growing them at home.

"It's a friendly show and there are plenty of experts on hand to answer people's questions.

"There will also be a display by a specialist orchid nursery - Malcolm Perry Orchids - so it's also possible to buy orchids at the show."

The show will have a number of competitive classes, some for individual orchid species. There are are also classes for novices, an open section, a seedling class (for plants flowering for the first time) and a variety of flower arrangements, using orchids as cut flowers. There will also be spectacular non-competitive displays, showing the sheer variety and beauty of autumn-flowering orchids.

Tony recommends two main groups of orchids for beginners: the cymbidiums, which require cool, frost-free conditions (between 10C and 24C) and the phalaenopsis group, which flourish indoors in a centrally heated house. Most orchids sold as in garden centres are from these two groups and these days they are often displayed on the Christmas gift counters.

There are easy-to-grow orchids which will do well in various indoor environments, from conservatories and greenhouses, to kitchens and living rooms. It's vital to follow the cultivation instructions, which vary from plant to plant.

Flowering plants range in price from about £10 upwards, which can be regarded as good value for an indoor plant with such exquisite, long-lasting blooms.

Seedlings, without flowers, are obtainable from orchid nurseries for as little as £5. At the other end of the price range, it is possible to spend up to £100 or more on a really sumptuous flowering plant.

To find out more about cultivating, propagating and showing orchids, you would be welcome to join the Wessex Orchid Society, which meets on the second Saturday of each month at Shawford Village Hall. For details and directions, please call Tony Nappin on 01329 285160 or see the society's website: www.wessex-orchid-society.org.uk

He would also be pleased to tell you about the society's spring show. This is a larger show which is to be held on March 3 at Portchester Community Centre. It is a showplace for spring orchids and attracts growers from all over the region.

The Wessex Orchid Society now has more than 70 members and is constantly increasing in numbers. "There is a growing interest in orchids," said Tony. "The indoor plants are very diverse and it seems as if everyone has their own special favourites. You need to look at these flowers very closely to appreciate their wonderful shapes and markings.

"There's also a lot of interest these days in our hardy British native orchids. Some of these can be obtained from specialist nurseries and may be suitable to grow out of doors in the garden. Like all orchids, they are very beautiful and fascinating."