OUR FIRST NURSERY TRIP!

Above: A perfect group photograph of members who attended the tour.

Green Culture Singapore (GCS) broke new grounds on 5 March 2006 where we conducted our very own website's first nursery tour. The killer weather - capable of making each of us perspiring buckets under its sweltering heat - did not hamper the enthusiasm and excitement shown by the members.

Above: Off we go on our first GCS Nursery Trip!

We rode off from the taxi stand outside Buona Vista Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station at about half-past nine in the morning. About twenty-eight of us rode comfortably in a chartered air-conditioned tour bus that brought us around the nurseries located in northeastern Singapore.

Above: Looking at the cacti and succulents section at Chengtai Nursery.

Our first stop was at Chengtai Nursery, followed by Prince's Florist & Wholesale Nursery, Woon Leng Nursery, Pioneer Landscape, It Meng Orchids, Koon Lee Nursery and finally the Rose Nursery and Exotic Palm. For many of the participants, this was their first time visiting these wholesale and landscape nurseries located in an area that is rather remote and not accessible by the public bus services.

Above: Taking a rest at Prince's Landscape.

Bluefly and Joseph, met us when we were at Woon Leng nursery. The latter who is our veteran pitcher plant grower, helped two of our young CP members - Jason and Wezx - find, identify and choose the Nepenthes species they were looking for. Orchid enthusiasts, namely, boonboon, luckyboy and orchideejeager, were also there to clarify doubts and dispense helpful hints on the growing and choosing of suitable orchids to some of our members who are new to orchids.

Above left: Joseph helping a young GCS member to choose a Nepenthes plant. Above right: Lyndi, our nursery trip organiser proud of her Hoya purchase. Below left: Carting home a couple of beautiful orchids from Song Orchids. Below right: Selecting Dendrobium orchids at Song Orchids.

The trip, I believe, was a fruitful one for everyone as we all had something to bring home. The majority of us managed to purchase something we like at very afforable prices while others learned new things via the friendly exchange of helpful hints and sharing of experiences. It is also hoped that members were able to make new likeminded friends during this nursery trip.

Left: In the rose nursery - It's so hot! Right: Sniffing for a fragrant rose...

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Green Culture Singapore is grateful and would like to thank the following whose efforts are indispensible in making our inaugural nursery tour a success:

· GCS members for coming for this nursery trip.

· Lyndi who helped to book and arrange for the spacious and comfortable tour bus.

· Velvetine for helping to collect the bus fares and making sure everyone was accounted for during the entire trip.

· Phillip who helped to shoot the group photograph.