Breeding prize orchids: Allan Rae

Champion orchid breeder Allan Rae is so fascinated with these flowering beauties he's created his own. They're all in the orange and gold colour range, and he has registered fifteen plants with the Royal Horticultural Society. You could say these are fifteen miracles; according to Allan "it's like trying to breed a child who's going to be an All Black". Allan is a founding member of the Manawatu Orchid Society, heads the organisation of the National Orchid Expo, has served on the Orchid Council of New Zealand and is an accredited orchid judge. Allan sells his orchids at farmers markets local to him in Palmerston North.