Flower boss wants to 'spread the love' for orchids

Greg Griffis managed an orchid collection in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years

The new curator of a Jersey flower attraction has vowed to "spread the love of orchids" beyond the island.

Greg Griffis, 35, has moved with his family from the United States to head up the Eric Young Orchid Foundation.

He previously worked for an orchid farm in Hawaii and for the last 10 years managed a collection of the flowers in Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania.

He said the Victoria Village site was one of the global leaders in hybridising species and making new ones throughout the last 40 years "because of the innovative work done here".

Mr Griffis said he wanted more people to visit the "hidden gem"

Mr Griffis said he wanted the foundation to "spread the knowledge and love of orchids" in Jersey and beyond.

He said: "We are standing on the precipice of the opportunity to optimise everything we've been doing for the last 40 years - to make our procedures more efficient, to maximise and codify our mission and share it with the world."

Mr Griffis said the display house, which featured ruins covered with 200 -300 flowering orchids throughout the year, was "one of Jersey's hidden gems" that he wanted more people to visit.

He said: "It's a place to experience the beauty and joy of orchids and it's a place to experience warmth and light when it's cold and dreary."

He added he was also keen to display orchids around the world at flower shows.