The Orchid Society of Great Britain

Napier Hall Meetings: Report of
Proceedings
Michael McIllmurray
August 7th 2010 - Sally Mill: Encyclias
Following the introductory seminar for new
members of the Society on the first Saturday
of August, a large audience assembled to
hear our treasurer, Sally Mill, talk about the
orchids in which she has a special interest,
Encyclia. Some members of this genus,
notably those with flowers that open with
lips uppermost, have been split off into a
separate genus, Prosthechea, and are also
included in Sally’s passion.
Currently she grows about 70 out of over 150
species of Encyclia and Prosthechea, plus a
few hybrids. Plants in these genera have
several features to attract orchid growers.
Most species have small to medium sized
plants, so space is not a particular issue.
Some are climbers, but most grow in pots for
ease of cultivation in a greenhouse. Many
have pleasantly-scented flowers, that last
four to six weeks, appearing in summer when
many of the other plants in our collections
are taking a well-earned rest from flowering.
Their natural habitat is in South and Central
America and Sally enjoys visiting countries in
this part of the world while taking in the
sight of plants of these genera growing in
the wild. A final stimulus to her taking a
special interest in these genera was the
infectious enthusiasm of Hugh Laird, a
former holder of the National Plant
Prosthechea vitellina
OSGBJ 2010 (59), No. 4 • 269