Seminar for new members

Members who have joined the society since last August are invited to our free introductory seminar on Saturday 3rd August 2013 (places must be booked in advance).

This seminar is designed to welcome members to the society and introduce them to some of the committee and other members in an informal and friendly atmosphere. It will be held at Napier Hall, 1 Hide Place, Westminster, London SW1P 4NJ, before our monthly meeting. Doors open for tea and coffee at 09:30 with the seminar beginning at 10:00.

The seminar will include:
A general lecture about orchids from our new President, Peter White
A lecture about growing orchids in the home by our Programme Secretary, Francis Quesada-Pallarés
An introduction to several types of orchid and a potting demonstration by our Chairman, Roy White
A hands-on repotting session with orchids provided, led by committee members. (The orchids you repot will be available to buy for a few pounds.)
A light, buffet lunch at 12:30 before the monthly meeting commences at 13:30

At the monthly meeting, members will have a chance to look through a selection of books from our library; admire members' orchids on display on our table show; enjoy more tea and coffee; and hear our guest lecturer, Bala Kompalli, who will talk about field trips in the Western Himalayas.

Please book your place by 20th July, by contacting Sam Hurley, tel: 07900 250247 or e-mail: sam@ballyhurley.com (Please advise regarding any special dietary requirements).

Please contact Sam Hurley if you have any queries about the seminar or the society.

 

Changes in the Vandeae

Orchid Hybrid Registration Advisory Group News Release  May 2013


At a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Orchid Hybrid Registration Group (OHRAG) in London on 22^nd May, the proposed nomenclatural changes in the Vandeae were discussed. The Group were privileged to receive seminar presentations by André Schuiteman and Lauren Gardiner, both from the Kew Herbarium, on their research into the taxonomy of the Vandeae.

A full account is due to be published in volume 6 of Genera Orchidacearum which is scheduled for publication in February 2014, and is the final volume of the series.

The members of the Advisory Group unanimously recommended adoption of the following changes in the Hybrid Register immediately.

Vanda is to be expanded to include: Ascocentropsis, Ascocentrum, Christensonia, Eparmatostigma, Euanthe, Neofinetia and Trudelia

Aerides flabellata has been transferred to Vanda

Papilionanthe is to be accepted as distinct from Vanda

Arachnis to include: Armodorum and Esmeralda

Gastrochilus to include: Haraella

Holcoglossum to include: Ascolabium and Penkimia

Phalaenopsis to include: Doritis, Kingidium, Lesliea, Nothodoritis, Ornithochilus and Sedirea

Renanthera to include: Ascoglossum, Porphyrodesme, and Renantherella

Robiquetia to include: Abdominea, Malleola, India, Megalotus and Samarorchis

Trichoglottis to include: Ceratochilus, Staurochilus and Ventricularia.

In the past it has been the custom to await publication of the relevant volume of Genera Orchidacearum and wait for six months to allow discussion, before implementing any nomenclatural changes. On this occasion however, it seemed appropriate for implementation to proceed due to the uncontroversial nature of the changes, and in order to have all the changes in place before data is extracted from the register to prepare the forthcoming Sanders List Addendum. It is hoped this will prevent unnecessary delay in publication of the Addendum. In addition, Doritis and x Doritaenopsis have already been moved into Phalaenopsis.

New President for the OSGB

Members voted unanimously for Peter White as the society's new presdient at its AGM on 1st June.

Peter has been a member of the society since 1984 and helped in many ways over the years - most recently with the Chelsea exhibit. He is the owner of Orchids by Peter White, was Chairman of the British Orchid Growers Association until last year and is a member of the RHS Orchid Committee.

Peter offered thanks on behalf of the members to outgoing president Henry Oakeley, and commended him for his work as an ambassador for the society, ably representing it both in this country and on his travels around the world.