I Spy Dactylorhiza

[Tim Harberd]

Hi Maren,
   The dacts are on marshy land called Willow Carr, just outside the North West corner of the Security Fence which surrounds NSA Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Menwith is the largest American base in Europe, It operates outside of UK, EU and (according to Edward Snowden) US law. Be prepared to have your number plate recorded should you visit by car! (Whilst photographing the white form I was shadowed by a police motorcyclist on the other side of the fence.)

Tim DH

[Maren]

Hi Tim,

I'm going up to Harrogate this Saturday to do some orchid judging at Harlow Carr. Will the dactylorhizas still be in flower? I'll wear a badge that says Orchid Judge in large letters.

[Tim Harberd]

Hi Maren,
   Yes, the narrower lobed dacts should still be good. (The wider lobed ones seem to flower a little earlier.) The site is quite high (hence Menwith Hill!) so the flowering is a little behind valley dacts.

   What's the orchid event @ Harlow Carr? Dad lives walking distance from there.

Tim DH

[SteveC2]

Maren, is that the Harrogate OS event at Harlow Carr?  Thought it was August 8/9.

[Maren]

Hi,

the orchid event isn't really an event at all, it is a judging symposium organised by the British Orchid Council (BOC) as part of their judging accreditation programme. Established judges (me) are invited to join the symposium to:

1) keep up their standards and knowledge
2) help with the training of students (it takes between 3 and 4 years to qualify).

Judges who don't attend for a certain number of symposia are crossed off the list of judges (tough regime but worth it, I think).

This has nothing at all to do with any other horticultural events. Sorry.

[SteveC2]

Thanks for the clarification Maren.  I was just worried that the HOS event had moved!  Too  long a journey to go on the wrong weekend.

[Tim Harberd]

Hi Maren,
       Did you find time to visit the Dacts @ Menwith over the weekend?

Tim DH

[Maren]

Hi Tim,

We ran late and I had to dash home to water the greenhouses, didn't even get a chance to see the gardens, boohoo. Next time.