I was expecting colour at Kew’s Orchid Festival but not quite the dazzling display I encountered – or the wild animals!
It’s the 27th year the team at the Royal Botanic Gardens have staged the event and for the 2023 festival the focus is on Cameroon, home to 450 species of orchid. (I was given a press pass to attend this event.)
“The orchids of Cameroon are far from being completely documented by science, with more being described each year,” explains Kate Solecki, RGB Visitor Programmes Manager. “Many are considered vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss.”
This year, Kew’s Orchid Festival has more than 5,000 plants – it took a team of their horticulturists and volunteers about three weeks to put together while planning usually starts six months before the festival opens.
The plants are woven into existing displays in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and make full use of features such as the pool and the different climatic zones.
Some are hanging from baskets, or cascade down poles, while others are simply grouped in pots. It gives the feeling of being enveloped by flowers.
The orchids for the display have been sourced from within Kew’s collection, or were brought in specially.
“They’re grown by trusted suppliers in the Netherlands – these are predominantly phalaenopsis hybrids, which are robust enough to be on display to thousands of visitors for the duration of the festival,” explains Kate.
Here and there, the wildlife of Cameroon has been created by the team using living plants. Some were obvious, like the lion in the main area, while others were half hidden by foliage.
Kew’s Orchid Festival runs for a month and the plants are cared for by the garden’s horticulturists who monitor and refresh the display as needed.
When it comes to growing orchids at home, Kate recommends phalaenopsis or vanda orchids as a good place for beginners to start.
“Orchids are beautiful but they can be quite temperamental,” she says. “They are usually happy with average room temperatures but can’t tolerate direct sunlight as they can get sunburnt!”
It’s important to get the watering right as leaving an orchid sitting in water can lead to root rot.
“The best thing to do is submerge the plant in water and leave it to soak for a few minutes before draining completely,” advises Kate.
I’ve never been good with houseplants but Kew’s Orchid Festival has encouraged me to given them a try.
Kew’s Orchid Festival runs until March 5. For details and to book, visit the website.
You can read more of my garden visits here and my trip last year to Kew here.
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