Exhibition at Kolymbari June 2011

There will be an exhibition of work for the environment entitled 'Rare and Beautiful Plants' to be held in conjunction with the International ECOTHEE conference at The Orthodox Academy of Crete at Kolymbari. Anyone interested in submitting work should please get in touch with Flowers of Crete or the Academy for more information.

Cavo Sidero

On 4th December the Greek courts ruled that the Minoan/Loyalward development of a golf resort on this area of special scientific interest was illegal. We understand that the company is launching yet another attempt to get amended plans passed and, although this has been a victory for campaigners, it is not yet time to rest on our laurels. There are also rumours of developments at such important sites as Elafonisi.

Date for Court Hearing

Owing to industrial action by lawyers here on Crete, the date of the court hearing for the granting of our syllogos has been postponed. As soon as we have a new date I will post it.

Date for Court Hearing - Syllogos

The date for the court hearing for the granting of charitable status for Flowers of Crete has been set for 1st December, 2010.

Talk by John Fielding

There will be a talk and slide show entitled 'Plants for a Mediterranean Climate' by co-author of the wonderful book Flowers of Crete - John Fielding at BioAroma in Aghios Nikolaos on Monday 25th October - time to be arranged. To register your place at the talk (which is sure to be well attended) please get in touch with julia@flowersofcrete.info.

Red Palm Weevil

There are absolutely loads of weevils flying in and around Elounda at the moment. I have just sweep four up from my courtyard. This is really scarey. And apparently Cretans are being led to believe that the weevil will not attack the native Palm, P. theophrasti - this is NOT true. It will also attack banana palms too.

Spring Flowers Finding Trip 2011

The dates for the Spring Flower and Orchid Finding trip are Tuesday 24th to 31st March - tour of the west of the island from Elafonisi to Rouvas. Dates for the second week Tuesday 31st March to Tuesday 5th April, the east of the island, taking in Katharo Plateau and Thripti mountains with a feast of orchids. Bookings are now being taken. Places are strictly limited, so if you are interested please book early.

Limodorum abortivum

I am hoping to go to the south of Heraklion area in the next few days to photograph this beautiful orchid, which I have so far seen only in bud. If I am really lucky I might also find Cephelantera cucullata one of Crete's rarest endemic orchids. Rosemary and I saw one specimen last year, but the wind was so strong my photos didn't do it justice. If I find any I will post the photos here. Today I am working on my commission for Heather to paint Bituminaria bitunminosa - not easy as the flowers are so small, but I have finished the preliminary drawings and will start on the layout today.

New nesletter

I am working on the Flowers of Crete newsletter - very belated I'm afraid - but if you have any articles you can contribute, please let me know.

My Artwork

I have just started a new blog for my artwork - www.jjbotanicalart.blogspot.com if you would like to take a look.