No apologies for another Masdevallia this morning (the fourth in a row), these rewarding orchids are a real key feature of our collection. Masdevallia floribunda is a wonderful little species that produces masses of relatively large flowers every autumn. The species is native to wet forests from Mexico to Costa Rica and the Caribbean from […]

It is a third Masdevallia in a row with this tiny miniature species endemic to Ecuador It is small growing but vigorous with 4cm leaves and 15cm flower spikes with about 6-12 flowers on each. As you can see it does well for us in a small basket though we also find it does well in […]

The photograph above was taken in 2011 and shows a young Jacob Coles (aged twelve I think) when he was already showing immense promise as orchid grower, scientist and researcher. I am delighted to  report that this promise has continued, and he has just started a fascinating, orchid based, research Masters Degree at Kent University, […]

I am really pleased to say that greenhouse club is back. We have worked with guidance to develop a new Covid 19 risk assessment for the greenhouse that means we can have all our wonderful students back in the greenhouse in after school sessions for each year group bubble. Mondays are the year 7 and 8 […]

We have lots of small plants of this lovely little Masdevallia coming into flower this week. The species is endemic to Costa Rica where we have seen it growing and flowering on remnant trees at 1400m (from memory) on a misty volcanic ridge. The photo taken back in 2003 shows the species growing in thick […]