Orchids at Writhlington

In March 2004, on Gardners' World, Monty Don described the Writhlington Orchid Project as 'one of the most ambitious, extraordinary projects I've ever heard of. This remarkable position has been reached after twelve years of developing high quality growing techniques, an advanced laboratory dedicated to raising orchids from seed and an ambitious approach to students enterprise and practical conservation in a community context.'

 The secret of Writhlington's success has been the responsibility given to students, whether growing plants in the school greenhouse, handling rare orchid seed in the laboratory or managing international conservation projects.

Visit the project's own website at www.wsbeorchids.org.uk

Writhlington has developed a wide range of industry links, including a close partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, to develop our specialist laboratory and leading edge research projects.  Writhlington is now working closely with the Eden Project to supply suitable orchid seedlings to provide tropical biome with a rich and biodiverse canopy representing tropical forests from around the world.

The school's orchid growers have become a familiar sight at major shows around the country.  Students have gained a reputation for well grown plants, professional displays and giving knowledgeable advice to their orchid growing public.  Countless awards include three Silver Gilt Medals from the Royal Horticultural Society and the Norah Stucken Award from the Institute of Horticulture.

In 2006 the orchid growers had been invited to have a stand at Chelsea Flower Show. They won a gold medal. To see the press release CLICK HERE

Each year students host visitors from all over Europe, including TV crews for the BBC, Independent TV, Children's TV and ARD from Germany.

The development of a specialist orchid laboratory has opened opportunities for universal enterprise projects.  In 2003, the Writhlington Young Enterprise company Stem Labs won best company in the Bath Area and West of England.

The work of Stem Labs has continued and is now represented in International Conservation Enterprises with India, Costa Rica and Guatemala, supported by sales of seedling projects through the Eden Project and Bristol and Bicton Park Botanic Gardens. The significance of these projects has been recognised internationally through invited presentations as far afield as Central America and it is hoped that their success can act as a model for other partnership projects working for communities and their environments throughout the tropical world.

The last ten years have been an exciting time, but the next ten will be extraordinary.

Horticultural Excellence

Writhlington's students have gained an international reputation for the quality of their orchid raising and growing.

• Winners of the prestigious Norah Stucken Award from the Institute of Horticulture 2003
• Winners of Bert Small Exhibit at the European Orchid Show 2003
• Winners of three Silver Gilt Medals from the Royal Horticultural Society
• Among Britain's leading producers of orchids from seed
• Writhlington is supplying orchid seedlings for introduction to the Eden Project's tropical biome
• Students have featured on BBC Gardeners' World, Blue Peter and ARD (German TV)

Scientific Research

Scientific research has developed from Writhlington's close partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

• A Level Science students have reached the finals of the British Association's Young Scientist of the Year in each of the past four years
• Writhlington and its orchid project featured in the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2003
• Students represent the Royal Society at a range of leading science events in 2004.  Students carry out orchid research in the UK and through tropical expeditions to Brazil and other countries.

Conservation Enterprise

Writhlington has pioneered a new approach to conservation enterprise linked to leading conservation-minded attractions in Britain and dynamic projects in tropical countries.

• Conservation projects initialised with Sikkin (North India), Costa Rica and Guatemala
• All projects managed by A Level Science students
• Seed sent from Sikkim is raised and sent to Labarang Monastery School for ground-breaking community orchid projects.  This is funded by sales through the Eden Project
• Seed sent from Costa Rica is raised and sold through At-Bristol to fund research by the Lautesto Botanic Garden
• Seed sent from Guatemala is raised and sold through Bicton Park to support community orchid raising projects

The future - can you help?

Writhlington's conservation and enterprise project has outgrown its existing greenhouses!  We now wish to develop the site and establish a national centre for orchid education and conservation.  We are seeking to work with sponsors who would wish to be associated with this international education and horticultural enterprise.  The centre will include:

• New growing areas to house our unique live collection
• Suitable facilities for visits by members of the public and horticultural groups who wish to visit an educational facility.  We want to share our vision for education enterprise with other schools, colleges and the wider community
• Enlarged research and laboratory facilities for horticultural students