The RHS offered an evening opening of the Vincent Square Spring Plant and Orchid Show (in addition to the two normal days) and, as this suited me and as the price was the same – £5.00 for everyone again, I went along.
As well as normal plant displays and plants for sale, they had set up long tables and benches with very attractive flower arrangements in the middle. It looked as though it would suit a wedding reception except who would want to sit through speeches without back support? I never found out if this was an advertisement because, as per previous show, the single page detailing exhibitors was just that – a list with no contact details or their specialities. You could also learn to make a corsage but details of other workshops didn’t seem to be available.
A three piece band was tootling away in a corner and some interesting food was on sale as well as drinks. The stalls in the Lawrence Hall were again quite widely spaced and there were not that many visitors when I was there just after the 1800 opening. However, when I crossed to the Lindley Hall,which was almost exclusively orchids, the situation was completely different – hordes of orchid lovers shopping,chatting & photographing. Again drinks were on sale and I did see a fair number of hands clutching prosecco flutes as I wandered around.
Everything that an orchid lover could want was on sale from large plants to very small plantlets (in some cases attached to bark). Exhibitors came from France, Holland, Ecuador and Peru – well I assume that from their names but again no information on the exhibitor list.
The displays were spectacular and had a range of orchids which the assembled crowds obviously appreciated. As I only have the popular Phalaenopsis, I couldn’t possibly comment as to the variety/standard of plants.
Lovely photos – thanks for sharing, Jill!
Kind regards,
Henry