The Garden Society will have been in existence for 30 years this year. For our first meeting in this celebratory year our speaker was Mike Halsall who gave a very interesting talk on "British Wild Orchids". Mike really became interested in wild flowers at the age of 10yrs when he started a pressed flower book which he has kept to this day. His interest in Orchids came from his father.
There are 54 species of Orchid in the British Isles, 250 in Europe and approximately 25,000 worldwide. Orchids have three petals and three sepals, produces tiny seed which has to land where there is a specific fungus to germinate. It can be 4-5 years before they flower and sometimes as long as 15 years.
With the help of slides Mike described many Orchids and their habitats - the pyramid Orchid is the easiest to find locally especially on Bindon Hill. The smallest Orchid is the Bog Orchid which is only 2 inches high. There are several rare Orchids but, according to Mike, you will never come across one by accident you need to know where to look. He finished his talk with a slide of his favourite Orchid - the Lady Slipper Orchid, which is a critically endangered species and is kept under an iron cage with a 24hour guard in Grassington, Yorkshire!!
Flower of the Month Competition -winner - Kath Burt.
Date of next meeting - Wednesday 12th February @ 7.30pm a speaker from the gold club will give a talk entitled " Spring Colour and Interest ion the Garden". Non members are welcome to come.
Future Dates:- Plant Sale and Coffee Morning - Tuesday 20th May 1000-12.00am.
Annual Show - Saturday 23rd August.
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