Hundreds of people flocked to Sheffield’s Orchid Show this weekend, captivated by the exotic flowers.

The annual show took place on Saturday in St. John’s Church Hall, Abbeydale, to celebrate the traditional art of growing orchids.

Show Coordinator of the Sheffield & District Orchid Society, Paul Hobson, reflected on the importance of change to keep orchid horticulture alive in the UK.

He said: “Orchid growing is a dying art, things are changing.

“Society has to adapt, and this show is a part of our adaptation to embrace the many new technological and plant growing trends within Britain.”

With six different societies from across the Midlands and Northern England attending the show, the hall was full of colourful stalls showcasing a large variety of orchids, all carefully curated by the members. 

As well as orchid growers, the show attracted many different flower enthusiasts, with one attendee, Peter Walker, selling carnivorous plants on Saturday.

Mr Walker, owner of Wack’s Wicked Plants, said: “I think young people and kids are attracted to them because of the gruesome side to it.

“There are several groups and forums where people are obsessed with them, so I think social media definitely helps spread the love of carnivorous plants.”

The show saw a rise in visitors of 20-30% from last year, going up to around 300 people, which Mr Hobson attributes to the wider variety of plants on offer.

He said: “What we hope is that visitors buy other plants, look at the orchids and they spill into our world, because we all grow plants, we all love plants. And it’s that bit of cross-fertilisation, it’s how we help each other.”