For centuries, people have been fascinated by orchids. Their exotic forms, the ability of some of them to grow on little more than air and water and the sheer adventure and danger involved in collecting them created a desire for these plants unmatched by any other. In support of this, we are preparing... Read more..

What a difference a day makes in terms of this weeks weather. Yesterday we were first seeking shade even before morning break and then after lunch we sought shelter from the rain. Today in contrast I had to drag out my jumper for the first time since mid May. Is this normal? I can't remember what... Read more..

Hello! Zoe and me are off to Durban for the BGCI congress in just 4 weeks.We have packed the display boards already, all measured and weighed. We are excited and raring to go. Wow just think a month tomorrow and we will nearly be in Durban. What an brilliant thought. Watch this blog and we will tell... Read more..

Hello Zoe P here. I am really exciting about going to South Africa. We also grow some of our own South African orchids such as the Disa which I look after but unfortunately non of our Disas are in flower at the moment but another South African orchid the Stenoglottis Fimbriata is as Zoe is showing in... Read more..

Hi, Zoe P here as you can see we have arrived in Durban, had a good night sleep and today we are going to Vernon Creek Reserve, looking for orchids in the wild, which is really exciting. Then in the evening we are going to the opening for the Botanical gardens conference. This is going to be a fantastic... Read more..

As you know we already have the import certificate from South Africa for the orchid seedlings. Today we had our visit from Miranda the Plant Health Inspector. We have met her before as she has given certificates for the plants we have exported to countries all over the World like India, Laos and Guatemala... Read more..

We think that there are at least fifty orchid species in flower in the school greenhouse on any day in the year so we have decided to pick out one every week to share with you. This week is easy as the greenhouse is dominated by the flower spikes of Cymbidium tracyanum with its large fragrant flowers... Read more..

As you can see the new Writhlington School Orchid house is coming on really well. The thermal screening is in and the electrics are all installed including the fans which arrived this week. The growing area is a total of 200 square metres. Our grand opening will be in July 2010 and everyone is invited... Read more..

If you like Eulophia speciosa you will love Eulophia cucullata. We spotted this as we left the Harold Johnson Reserve north of Durban. The flower spike was 60cm tall with these lovely flowers. We have compared it to photographs in books and our plant had much deeper brown colour on the reflexed petals... Read more..

In South Africa we were really impressed by the terrestrial orchids we found growing in tropical grassland. One in particular, Eulophia speciosa , was actually quite easy to spot growing on roadside verges a bit like all the Pyramidal orchids you can see along the verges of the M5 motorway north of Bristol... Read more..