About Us

Adelaide Orchids was originally launched in 1962 by Sydney and Shirley Monkhouse in the inner suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. The nursery expanded rapidly and soon moved to a new site in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.

Adelaide Orchids became an industry leader as cut flower exporters and as pot plant sellers and breeders within Australia. Their orchid production consisted of Cymbidiums, Paphiopedilums, Cattleyas, Odontoglossums and Zygopetalums.

In 1992 Syd and Shirley embarked on a semi-retirement plan and Adelaide Orchids continued under their son Stephen at a new location in Woodcroft, South Australia. Stephen become the pioneer in developing Zygopetalums with new and improved colour combinations and fragrances.

Bob, Shirley and Des Bettcher started as backyard orchid hobbyists in the early 1970’s, located in the inner west suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. Rapidly expanding, the Bettcher family established a Cymbidium cut flower and retail nursery in 1974.

Currently enjoying a third generation in orchid growing, the family decided in 2011 to expand into a global market, by combining their own distinct breeding lines of the last 40 years with the pioneering breakthroughs of Adelaide Orchids breeding programs.

Still working in close association with Stephen Monkhouse, under the new managmement of Des, Jason and Kirsten Bettcher, Adelaide Orchids is continuing to breed and produce innovative and high quality Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum and Zygopetalum cut flowers and pot plants.