The first orchid we managed to spot was the Satyrium longicauda, this was growing on the edge of a stream, in boggy ground. Mr Pugh-Jones says this is the most dramatic terrestrial orchid he has ever seen growing in the wild. I was pretty impressed too! In the reserve we did not just see orchids. We saw lots of other plants that we recognised like Clivia, Palms, tree fern and a large number of the Daisy family including a wild species of Gerbera. We also saw so amazing animals: a wide range of birds, zebra, impala, wildebeast, Vervent monkeys and creepy crawlies like enormous black and red millipedes. South Africa is a fantastic place. In the evening we registered at the congress and already have new friends from all over the world, cool. Good night from Durban.

This is a close up of Polystachya Zambesiaca, when we found it we had to compare the flowers with the descriptions in a book called African Orchids in the Wild and Cultivation.It was quite tricky but a really good experience. 

My favourite of all the orchids we found was the population of Polystachya Zambesiaca on this tree. Before today I have never seen an orchid growing as an epiphyte up a tree in the wild. Now I have seen seven different species! I think i have learned alot about orchids as a gardener, by seeing them growing in the wild and surviving on trees.

Zoe P here, this morning we had an amazing trip to the Vernon Crook Nature Reserve. Here we are, exploring the grassland and woodland looking for orchids. I am really pleased as we found nine species of orchid and three were in flower. 

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 trip and I am very excited and I am looking forward to meeting some new people.