By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG has a couple of world-renowned clubs – think the Cats and Geelong Pelargonium Club.
A local flower club? World famous?
Indeed, the local pelargonium enthusiasts contain among their number a couple of members known the world over for their floral knowledge and skills.
Member Cliff Blackman developed a brand new class of pelargonium, named after the suburb of Lara where he lived at the time.
Publicity officer Laurie Cocking said developing a new class of flower was difficult to achieve.
“It’s very time consuming and needs a lot of attention to detail,” Laurie explained.
The club also boasts as a member Brian Nolan, known in world pelargonium circles for his extensive knowledge.
“If Brian doesn’t know it then it’s not worth knowing when it comes to pelargoniums,” Laurie declared.
“It’s great to have people like that in the club because the rest of us can learn so much from them.
“Needless to say, Cliff and Brian are life members.”
Club librarian Debbie Clutterbuck said pelargoniums had fascinated her since childhood.
“There are so many kinds. It’s such a diverse family of plants that it keeps up the interest,” Debbie explained.
“Some have scented leaves and there are so many different colours and various flower shapes. They even come in miniatures.
“They’re good for small gardens and even for flats because they survive well in pots. They’re so hardy.”
Despite the local expertise, pelargoniums are actually South African but thrive in the similar Aussie climate.
“They do need to be pruned hard,” Debbie advised. “Some people are a bit gentle and don’t get the best out of them.”
Geelong Pelargonium Club has “stood the test of time” for 46 years, Laurie said.
“Each member gets a cutting to propagate at the start of the year and they bring it in each month to be judged.
“There’s a novice section for those yet to win a prize and an open section. We also go on bus trips and have lots of guest speakers.”
The club has its own shade house in Geelong Botanic Gardens, near its clubrooms where members meet on the fourth Thursday each month.
The botanic gardens have grown pelargoniums and its cousin geraniums for 150 years.
Laurie said prospective members of the world famous club should phone him on 5250 3952 or email lauriehydro@hotmail.com.
