
I was contemplating the state of the new seasons orchids a week or so ago when we had a surprise frost. This juvenile Pyramidal Orchid ended up with a rime around the edge of the leaves. This type of frost is an advection frost, usually caused by cold winds. Luckily the cold only lasted for two days, admittedly I did fall off my bike on one of those, but with a bounce and a bruise the bike was undamaged, so I rode on. The current weather, although very wet and windy is still warm enough to encourage growth on these winter green species. In fact, I suspect that those who have pre-ordered Bee Orchids may receive them earlier than I originally thought. All of the plants seem to be coming along very nicely, so it will not be long until the catalogue of new plants for sale will be ready. We will be spending a considerable time re-potting for our shows as the liverworts really do seem to love this wet weather. Some of them have a passing resemblance to iceberg lettuce, which tempts me to think they may be edible. I am tempted, but not quite enough.