These pages were last updated 1st October 2004 and changes include:
Note about our programme and amendments to commercial growers list.
Hello....My Name is Philip Bulley and I live in Eastbourne, East Sussex in the United Kingdom. I am pleased to publish details of our orchid society of which I am currently the Hon. Treasurer and am proud to say that we were the first UK Society site on the Internet in November 1995. I hope that the information will be of use to UK and overseas growers together with any orchid friends visiting the UK on holiday - see the various links in the left hand frame.
I enjoy orchid growing and hope I can encourage any reader of this page to find out more about these fascinating and beautiful plants. The best way to start with orchids is to buy a basic cultural book, select suitable beginners plants and look to join a local society who will gladly give you assistance to raise your orchids successfully. I have been growing orchids for over twenty years and these plants never fail to reward me when they bloom.
| Orchids are the largest flowering plant family in the world. They are perennial plants which grow in climates ranging from the cool temperate regions of the world to hot steamy jungles. Plants are found growing from sea level to several thousands of feet in mountainous regions. They grow as terrestrial plants or as epiphytes on tree branches or trunks. They can be found growing in the cracks of cliff faces. Orchids are found all over the world outside of the Arctic, Antarctic and true desert regions. |
| The orchid flower can vary in size from microscopic to in excess of 12" and the colour range is vast including greens and blues. Flowers can last for only 1 day to several months. Most plants flower regularly each year but some can be constantly in bloom. Plants tend to produce better flowers as the size increases with age. |
| It is rewarding to grow orchids from the viewpoint of conservation. Many orchids grow in South America and with the continual destruction of the rain-forest many species are near extinction. CITES regulations prohibit the collecting and exporting of such plants but seed is available and many nurseries around the world raise plants which would otherwise disappear. Growing them in cultivation ensures that such plants are available for future generations. Amateur growers make a valuable contribution to the world wide conservation of orchids. |
