The event, now in its 18^th year, will return to the city this weekend. 

Bendigo Orchid Club member Georg Hein had yet to fall in love with orchids when the challenge was last in Bendigo.

His interest was sparked six years ago, after one of his daughters gifted him an orchid for Christmas.

Mr Hein said he was looking forward to seeing exotic orchid varieties during the two-day event. 

“The colours are just unbelievable on some of them,” he said.

Some of his own flowers will be among those displayed at the Bendigo stand.

Orchids aren’t exactly easy to grow.

“You ask any orchid grower and they’ll tell you they’ve killed a few,” Mr Hein said.

“They’re very touchy plants.”

But he said it just made it all the more exciting to see them come out in bud.

Each of the 11 regional Victorian orchid clubs will be involved in the event, Bendigo Orchid Club president Ross Pascoe said. 

“Having an orchid show in the middle of winter provides a rare opportunity for local orchid lovers to see a range of flowers not usually seen during our annual spring show,” he said. 

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The challenge is open to the public and will be staged at the Wes Vine Hall at Truscott Reserve in California Gully on Saturday and Sunday. 

The show opens at noon on Saturday and runs until 4pm, and from 9am – 3pm on Sunday.

Admission is $5 per adult, and free for children under the age of 18. 

Refreshments, orchids and tickets for the ‘monster raffle’ will be available for purchase at the venue.