Lectures
Cyclamen species and how to grow them-illustrated with many slides in the wild- mainly Greece and Turkey. Cyclamen have tubers not corms! Corms are storage organs that are replaced every year. Cyclamen are now in the family Myrsinaceae not Primulaceae. Dont let this put you off my talk!
I have been growing Cyclamen since 1978 and they have literally changed my life. I am now International Registrar for Cyclamen species. For many years I was Superintendent of the Rock Garden at The Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley- during that time I initiated a large scale planting programme of Cyclamen across the garden departments.
China ACE- in 1994 I was selected to join the team on the seed collecting end of the ACE (Alpine Garden Society China Expedition) We visited Yunnan and Sichuan over a period of six weeks collecting seed on plants which had been spotted in the spring by the recce team during a five week stay.
Cyclamen Society field trips to Turkey- The Cyclamen Society field trips I participated in include- C. coum from Istanbul to Hopa in N E Turkey 1987, C.alpinum SW Turkey 1997,98,99, C. mirabile 01,02,03 on these field trips many species of Cyclamen and orchids were seen and photographed.
Cyclamen Society field trip to Eastern Crete 1995 -this expedition was to seek out C. creticum and also look for erroneously reported C. persicum and C. repandum.
Crete- I have visited Crete seven times including a really enjoyable Cyclamen Society Conference which was held at Platanias in October 1996. This talk covers the plants, people, scenery etc. Several times I was with John Fielding the well known plant photographer- see his book "The flowers of Crete"- many of my slides were taken at the same time!
Japan-the plants, gardens & temples, people, rock garden design & construction.I can put together a talk of your choice- I have been fortunate enough to visit Japan four times and have acted as tour leader for RHS Garden Holidays.
Turkey- I have been fortunate enough to visit Turkey 23 times, on botanic field trips with the Cyclamen Society, on holiday and to help as technical adviser on the Indigenous Plant Propagation Project at Dumlugöze.
Carribean –a cruise from Miami to Barbados with many familiar conservatory plants pictured in their habitat.
Wisley's Alpines- the alpine collection at Wisley – a talk on development of the infrastructure and collections between1993 and 2006
The Rock Garden at Wisley- one of the oldest rock gardens completed in 1911 and probably the nation’s favourite, it has everything- grand scale, ponds & water falls, wild flower meadow, peat garden, shady woodland etc.
Water Gardening - pond excavation, rocks, pumps, plantings & fish etc. Discussion of the many ponds constructed over my career from small garden ponds to large scale at Wisley.
Galanthus - how to grow them – many slides of Turkey and of the bulb project at Dumlugöze. (I am technical consultant on this project and advise the villagers on propagation techniques including twin-scaling) Includes twin scaling and chipping demonstration. I was custodian of the Galanthus collection at Wisley under the auspices of the NCCPG.
Göthenburg Botanic Garden and some private Swedish Gardens – an early May visit. This rock garden and associated plant collection is probably one of the best in the world.
Crete – The Cyclamen Society Expeditions, spring and autumn, associated plants.
Botanising in Turkey – A look at the fantastic flora of this huge country in spring and autumn and the Taurus Mountains in June.
Utrecht conference. A talk about a four day visit to the Netherlands for an alpine conference illustrating the interesting domestic alpine gardens visited.
FEE: £80 plus expenses (cost of petrol). Will provide own small screen, projector & stand. Projector uses straight slide carriers) Digital presentations also available using my own projector and laptop computer.
AVAILABITY – South West of England- will consider further afield by arrangement. Am willing to do talks on consecutive nights to enable distant groups to halve travel costs.
A few recommended websites
The CyclamenSociety - one of horticultures best web sites
Edgewood Garden NE USA -Dr John Lonsdales excellent web site
The Eden Project Bodelva St Austell-World famous biomes
Great Gardens of Cornwall - gardens open in Cornwall
Lost Gardens of Heligan - Pentewan, St Austell, Cornwall
National Trust Gardens of Cornwall - Lanhydrock, Trelissick, Cotehele, Glendurgan, Trengwainton, Trerice, St Michael's Mount
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