“A lot of people might see orchids as being tropical, but they’re not,” she said. 

“I myself am a cold grower, I don’t have any heated houses. We can grow them perfectly here.”

So well do they grow, in fact, that the Launceston Orchid Society sustains in between 50 and 60 members of local enthusiasts. 

The society is holding their annual Spring Show this weekend, at Glenara Lakes Hall in Youngtown, 2pm – 5pm Friday September 21, 9am – 5pm Saturday September 22, 10am – 4pm Sunday September 23, $5. 

It’s the society’s 50th birthday this year, and they are celebrating by making this year’s show especially big and beautiful.   

There will be a range of orchids on display, including some from Ms Grice. 

She grows six different types of the flower in the orchid house in her backyard, and likes growing Australian natives the best. 

“I’m mainly into the Australian natives, they’re easy to grow and colourful,” she said. 

Tasmania is home to 195 different types of native orchids.