Beth and I have had an unexpected present. Three years ago, we purchased a cymbidium orchid from McBeans at Cooksbridge, near Lewes.

This year, our orchid has eight stems of delicate flowers and green leaves - a masterpiece to brighten the winter days. We have made a profit.

The plant purchased for £12 has now moved up a division and retails for £25.

What have we done to deserve this fortune? Our orchid had been neglected at the back of a greenhouse and for months left in the garden. "That's fine," said Jim Durrant, manager of McBeans. "Orchids are really hardy. The only thing none of them like is to be over-watered."

McBeans has been at Cooksbridge since 1879 when Scotsman James McBean bought some land. Albert, his son, had a passion for orchids and by the Nineties, Mr Schlegel was the nursery's principal grower and won several awards. The first cymbidium was named Cymbidium schlegeli in the grower's honour.

In those days, McBeans was a very different place.

Thirty-five staff were required to run the three-acre site. Today, there are just six. Temperature, humidity and watering are controlled by computer but the breeding and research programme goes on.

Sadly, orchid growing in England is in decline. Today, McBeans grows about 70 per cent of all English orchids. New owners' investment, together with the efforts of McBeans' loyal staff, has saved the business. It's good to report that takings last year were excellent.

McBeans prefers to deal direct with its customers and does not sell to supermarkets and garden centres. The company will teach buyers how to look after their orchids and the quality of McBeans' stock is second to none. "We used to have a good export trade," said Mr Durrant, "but the strength of sterling and cost of export licences have been punitive."

I was told most of the orchids we see in garden centres and supermarkets come from Holland, where growers pay less for heating oil and receive government support. In winter time, Mr Durrant spends £400 a night in heating oil.

McBeans holds open weekends when it gives guided tours and customers can see hundreds of plants in flower. It has a new orchid garden where visitors can browse.

I had a really good afternoon and recommend a visit.

For those interested in money, buy a cymbidium and treat it with benign neglect.