Our returning guest at our meeting on 30-Oct-24 was Simon Tarrant of the Hardy Orchid Society, who gave us a talk entitled ‘Balkan Orchid Adventures’. This was an account of tours he has taken to the Balkans in Spring and Summer, visiting Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia. The terrain runs from North-West to South-East; the coastal region has a Mediterranean climate, whereas inland the climate is more Continental. These geographical and climate ranges give rise to a prolific variety of hardy orchids, which Simon illustrated with many beautiful photos; the spectacular countryside and some of the wildlife also featured. The region was still affected by the aftermath of the Balkan wars, and it was essential to employ local guides to avoid minefields. On one occasion, the group was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea – trying to get pictures of a choice specimen growing on a verge, with traffic hurtling by on one side and a minefield on the other – “Don’t go more than a metre away from the road!”
Chris Mittell won the Novices table with his Vanda New Blue. Paul Atkin won the Winners table with his Guarianthe bowringiana.
Re the BOC Photo Competition 2024/5, members should send their candidate photos by email to Bill Gardiner ([email protected]). If more than ten are submitted, members will choose the ones to go forward at the 27-Nov meeting…
…which will be our Christmas social. We are to be entertained by the Rum Old Boys, who will receive donations to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Partners welcome; please bring a small plate of food.
Re the Suffolk Orchid Society Spring Show: at last we have a date! It will be on Saturday 29-Mar-25, the day before Mothering Sunday.
