Orchid Botanics

15/06/2026

04/05/2026

Coelogyne Linda Buckley, a hybrid orchid that lives outside year round in my back garden (The UK) mounted to this tree fern. I use Acacia trees as a canopy.

For anyone interested, other unexpected tropical plants I grow outside all year are Dendrobium christyanum, Coelogyne Intermedia, Disterigma alaternoides, Calliandra surinamensis, Sabal bermudiana, Cycas revoluta, Vaccinium floribundum, Ficus pumila, , Brassiopsis hispida, Justicia (3 species), Pepermonia (2 species), Cymbidium, Cyathea and more.

Sorry for not posting much recently i have been unwell for a while which in turn has reduced the number of tasks i can accomplish each day.

29/03/2026

The National Collection of Begonia.

A history of the collection at the Glasgow Botanic Garden. We cover a number of species in the collection.

12/12/2025

07/12/2025

Shrinking down into the micro world today! 🔬🌱

​Look closely at the images to get up close and personal with the incredible Lepanthes mulleriana. It’s hard to believe something this complex is so tiny.

​These miniature epiphytes hide away in the mossy cloud forests of Central and South America. Without a macro lens (or a very good magnifying glass), these blooms just look like tiny specks of color sitting on top of their leaves. But when you zoom in, you see amazing architectural structures and vibrant colors designed for a very specific purpose.

​💡 FUN FACT: The complex, often insect-like shape of many Lepanthes flowers isn't just for show. They are masters of deception! Many species use "sexual deception" (pseudocopulation) to get pollinated. The flower mimics the look and scent of a female fungus gnat, tricking the male gnat into trying to mate with it. In the process, he gets a packet of pollen stuck to him! 🦟💔

​Nature is wild at this scale. Which of the three shots is your favourite view? Let me know below! 👇
​