Equatorial Plants was founded in 1975 in Birmingham with the intention of raising orchids from seed. At about this time import restrictions on wild collected plants were starting to make it difficult to bring in orchids from foreign nurseries and the company realised that there was both a need and a niche for such laboratory-based production which could both provide plants now difficult to obtain and relieve the pressure on natural populations.

The first species produced came from seed sent by an old friend who was living in Brazil and included Laelia crispa, Oncidium forbesii and Epidendrum allemanii. The first products were sold as 'test-tube-babies' at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and through the Exchange and Mart.

A move to Edinburgh followed where links were made with the Royal Botanic Garden which held an unparallelled collection of high altitude species from Papua New Guinea. Access to the collection was granted, pollinations made and many of these species, particularly Dendrobiums of the Section Oxyglossum, came into popular cultivation, many of which are still now available.

Since that time and by collaboration and exchanges with other like-minded growers and laboratory workers, the listing of Equatorial Plants' species has grown to over 800, many rare and endangered in their natural habitat.

Seedlings are available by mail order (UK and Europe only) but commercial orders for larger numbers are available world wide.

The company helps to organise trips for enthusiasts to study orchids in the Brazilian Rainforest and produces a quarterly newsletter which keeps you up-to-date with new and interesting seedlings, conservation issues and items of general orchid interest.

Click here to read Tansy Pickett's review of the Equatorial Plant Company.