Grow your own orchids: demonstration at Severn Valley Country Park
Common spotted orchids in Spring Pieces Meadow at Severn Valley Country Park.
After a successful visit to Shropshire Council’s Severn Valley Country Park near Alveley earlier in 2015, orchid expert Phil Seaton is returning to lead a hands-on demonstration. Phil is passionate about the conservation of orchids and travels around the world to study and aid his research into seed storage and seedling growth.
Phil took early retirement from lecturing in biology to pursue his love of orchids full time. He has worked at the seed conservation department at Kew Gardens, and more recently works out of the labs of King Charles 1st School in Kidderminster helping the students both study and grow local and tropical orchids.
Phil is bringing his expertise to the country park for an orchid workshop on Monday 6 July 2015 at 10am-1pm. Phil will be teaching visitors how to grow native orchids from seed. Visitors will learn how to sow dactylorhiza (marsh orchid) seed and will end up with a petri dish of seedlings to take home.
The country park is the perfect place to learn how to grow orchids. It is home to five native species, and this month the Spring Pieces meadow is filled with hundreds, possibly thousands, of common spotted orchids.
Susie Comaish, visitor centre manager, said:
“Earlier in the year, Phil’s talk about orchid conservation proved very popular. It is great that we are able to give our visitors the opportunity to grow orchids from seed. We have had to limit the number of the people on the workshop to 12, so we are asking for visitors to book their place early to avoid disappointment.”
Everything needed for the workshop will be provided. £15 per person, or £20 per person to include an informative orchid book. Please call rangers at Severn Valley Country Park on 01746 781192 for more information or to book your place.
