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About Us
Species Specific is a small family business situated near Oldcastle, Co. Meath in the Republic of Ireland.
My name is Bill Hunter, and I have been a professional gardener for about 28 years, having worked as single-handed gardener and head-gardener on private estates in Scotland, and as a nursery supervisor/propagator in other parts of the UK. Currently I am employed in Co. Meath as a landscape gardener, and have some 26 years experience in growing orchids.
At present we are unable to accept visitors, but we hope to be able to remedy that in the not too distant future. Plans are being drawn-up for a visitor centre where you can spend an enjoyable day in the beautiful Meath countryside. You will be able to browse through the orchid displays, viewing plants growing in as near a natural state as can be offered them, and purchase plants that are on sale. Keep an eye on the Newsletter Page for details of this venture as it progresses. While we will be offering orchid hybrids for sale we will be concentrating on orchid species, hence the company name. | 
Coelogyne ochracea |
Ada aurantiaca |
My feelings are that the species are in danger of being forgotten about as more and more hybrids
are being bred. I am not against hybrid orchids, and know that there is always a place in ones
greenhouse or windowsill for these beautiful man-made creations, but it is extremely important
for several reasons that the species are not neglected. After all, where did those hybrids
come in the first place? Neglecting and ignoring the species is like forgetting your own parents
and ancestors. Many species in the wild are becoming endangered, and by growing some species
in your collection, you will be doing a bit for conservation. |
| Have you noticed over the last
decade that many nurseries are offering fewer species? This is in no way a criticism, any
company in any business has to follow the demands of its clients, or go out of business. My hope is
that clients will begin to see the importance of growing some species.
An opinion of my own, regarding the importance of species, is breeding. As
hybrids become more and more complex with multi-specific hybrids and multi-generic hybrids
being constantly produced, I have found that sometimes vigour is being lost in the plants,
perhaps I have just been unlucky enough to have a particularly poor clone, but it has usually been
a multi-generic hybrid. My warning bells began to
ring! Perhaps, and I have noted several breeders
worldwide seem to be doing this; we need to
introduce the vigour of species back into our
hybrids.
I hope you enjoy visiting our site regularly, not
only to purchase plants, but also to enjoy the
articles and perhaps offer feedback and
discussion.
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