Every now and then, Orchid Wise has the opportunity to spend a day with a commercial Cymbidium orchid grower and experience life from their perspective.
So, what does it really take to be a commercial grower? And what does a Day in the Life actually entail? Well, let’s find out!
A Day in the Life at Keith Wallace Nursery
During a recent visit to Keith Wallace Nursery, located in the Dural area of New South Wales, flowering Cymbidium orchids filled the poly tunnels, creating a spectacular welcome. This visit formed part of our ongoing Day in the Life series—and what a warm reception it was!
More Than Just Cymbidiums
Keith Wallace Nursery offers much more than just Cymbidiums. In fact, it operates as a large wholesale nursery growing a diverse range of plants on site. In addition to the magnificent Cymbidiums, we also encountered an impressive selection of ferns, lush foliage varieties, and popular indoor plants. As a result, the sheer diversity on display made the experience all the more engaging and enjoyable.
A Reputation Built on Excellence
Over the years, Keith Wallace Nursery has earned a strong reputation for producing Cymbidium orchids with large, round, show-bench-quality flowers. Unsurprisingly, the range available during our visit was nothing short of impressive!
Despite a busy schedule, Keith Wallace kindly made time to walk us through the nursery. Throughout the afternoon, he juggled multiple roles—assisting returning clients choosing plants for wedding venues, directing staff on daily operations, and helping members of the public with their Cymbidium selections. Clearly, being the boss involves constant multitasking.
At any moment, Keith found himself pulled in several directions while still trying to complete his own tasks. Yet, he remained welcoming and generous with his time, which made the visit not only informative but truly memorable.
A Surprise Guest
Midway through our Day in the Life, we had an unexpected and delightful surprise when Gordon Giles joined us on site. From that point onward, he shared a wealth of stories, insights, and breeding knowledge drawn from decades of experience. His presence added even more depth to an already enriching afternoon.
A Nursery of Scale
As we explored further, the true scale of the facility became evident. Multiple shade houses gave way to a sprawling seedling-growing area, covering approximately half an acre. This section alone held thousands of Cymbidium plants—ranging from robust, single-lead seedlings to those just a year away from flowering. Walking among so many promising plants was both inspiring and, I must admit, a little envy-inducing!
An Enduring Legacy
Together, Keith Wallace and Gordon Giles have dedicated more than 73 years to Cymbidium hybridisation—an extraordinary achievement in itself. Over that time, they’ve carefully hand-selected each hybrid for form, colour, and consistency. Thanks to this dedication, their plants are renowned across the orchid world and remain highly sought after by commercial growers and collectors alike.
Moreover, their combined efforts have resulted in over 50 registered hybrids—many of which will be familiar to Australian enthusiasts. Their contributions to modern Cymbidium breeding are both significant and long-lasting.
Spending an afternoon with Keith and Gordon was a true privilege. They generously shared not only stories and tips, but also introduced us to a few of their favourite breeding plants. One particularly valuable tip from Keith stood out: give your plants space. Avoid cramming them together, and you’ll give them the best chance to thrive and perform well.
A One-of-a-Kind Cymbidium
As the day drew to a close, Keith and Gordon revealed one of the most unusual Cymbidiums I’ve ever seen—Cym. (Jimbo Tupp ‘Stevie’ x Arcanian Ruby ‘Dural’). While a photo of the plant had been shared on the Keith Wallace Nursery Facebook page back in May 2025, seeing it up close was a completely different experience.
Gordon himself admitted he had never seen anything quite like it in his career. This bloom challenges almost every conventional standard in Cymbidium flowers. Whether you love its look or find it a bit wild, it unquestionably grabs your attention. As for its future—whether it will clone or breed—only time will tell. But knowing Keith, he’ll certainly give it every chance!
It was a pleasure to spend some time with Keith and Gordon and their generosity was very much appreciated.
Some of Keith & Gordon’s creations can be found on the Orchid Wise Orchid of the Week pages.
