Simon Tarrant visited us this month to give a talk entitled ‘Orchids of Estonia’. Simon visited Estonia in 2010 and has subsequently (in 2017 and 2022) taken groups there, orchid-spotting with the help of local guides. There are up to 31 species of orchids per parish in western Estonia, with the island of Saaremaa particularly rich; the Silurian limestone, poor soils and depopulation during the Soviet era all being favourable for orchids. Simon showed pictures of over 20 species flowering in situ, culminating in a large colony of Cyprepedium calceolus – so rare in the UK but widespread in Estonia.
The display tables this month were very fine – it’s that time of year! John Beavan won the Novices Table with his Phalaenopsis hybrid, and David Kohn won the Winners Table with his Laelia jongheana.
