The Barbara Everard Trust for Orchid Conservation (BETOC) was set up principally to conserve old hybrid orchids in cultivation, and also to have a greenhouse run by the OSGB to conserve them. We tried the latter in the past and it was not successful, and for the former we have had very few applications over the years. Consequently we have supported greenhouse cultivation of orchid species in the UK, giving grants to National Collection holders under the Plant Heritage scheme (previously National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens) to improve their collections and for equipment for their greenhouses. We have also given grants for publications concerning growing orchids in greenhouses, and for some educational grants for projects involving cultivation and conservation in cultivation. BETOC does not give grants to conservation of wild orchids growing in their habitats.
From now onwards the BETOC grants and finances will appear in the OSGB Journal and Annual Supplement. A sticker is being printed for members to put in their greenhouses, which advises people to contact BETOC if the plants cannot be looked after any more. We can then arrange to collect the plants and place them with suitable growers, if a specialist collection, and with members, if general plants. So, if you or your relatives can no longer look after your orchids, BETOC will take them away and get them cared for.
The Trustees ask that applications for grants be sent to the BETOC Secretary, Val Micklewright, e-mail: val@micklewright.com
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