"Spider" wrote

Bob Hobden wrote:
Talking to a chap at the Orchid Society of GB show at Wraysbury this
morning it appears that McBeans Orchids of Cooksbridge, near Lewes, who
have been going since 1879 and have exhibited at every Chelsea Flower
Show finally closed their doors yesterday. Such a shame. We have already
lost Thatched Lodge Orchids at Aldermaston, Wylde Court Orchids near
Newbury, and Stonehurst near Wakehurst Place. Only leaves Burnham
Nursery in Newton Abbot, Devon and Laurence Hobbs Orchids in Crawley
Down, Sussex that I know of if you want anything out of the ordinary.


That's a real shame. I'm sure it's down to the supermarkets force-feeding
everyone with Phalaenopsis, that there's little interest in different
orchid types. I particularly like Cambria types and Paphiopedilums, but I
rarely see them.

I have been to Burnhams, but not Laurence Hobbs establishment yet. I'll
have to drop a hint to the chauffeur.


Read his web site carefully, from memory he is only open on certain days or
by appointment. Herons Bonsai is not that far away too, near the Mormon
Temple, and then there is Wakehurst Place so it can make for a pleasant day
out. Unfortunately both Stonehurst and McBeans were on that same drive as
far as we were concerned so there used to be 5 places to visit.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK