FOR the June meeting members of Frome Selwood Horticulture Society members travelled to Writhlington School to learn about its Orchid Project.
Teacher Simon Pugh-Jones has built a reputation for the school and students who, over the years, have joined the club extra to the curriculum.
Far from any ordinary gardening interest, the project has evolved to combine science horticulture, student enterprise, education and developing international partnerships for conservation, particularly in India and Laos.
The 55-strong group from Frome soon became part of the education element, as students enthusiastically shared their knowledge of botany, propagation and orchid house management to suit the requirements of the thousands of plants in their care.
Members enquired about their own humble house plants, commonly the phalaenopsis or cymbidium, and were reassured that patience and time will suffice, if the natural environment of the outer reaches of the Himalayas or the verdant tropical conditions of remote rainforests cannot be reproduced at home.
Instead, members marvelled at the stories from the two Zoe's who then gave a presentation of their journey to the rainforest of the Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, where they tramped through bogs, swamps and rainforest in the cause of plant hunting and conservation.
As members left, passing through the Tibetan prayer flags that fluttered beside the orchid glass houses, none were left in any doubt as to the knock-on benefits of the seemingly simple orchid.
Few students want to go into horticulture, but many will have grown hugely as individuals. Mr Pugh-Jones has been behind much of this growth and the society congratulates him on his award of an MBE earlier this year.
For more information visit www.fshs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk or call Jane on 01373 455277.