Trip to Borneo 2015

There are still some places left for the trip to Borneo in 2015. The trip will focus on visiting four locations to explore Borneo's amazing diversity of orchids, led by experienced field naturalist and Borneo expert Stewart McPherson of Redfern Expeditions.

Please see the travel page of our website or the OSGB Journal (2014) 63(2): 129  for full details.  

If you are interested, please contact Francis Quesada-Pallarés, tel: 07951 070637, e-mail: ols_francisjquesadapallares@hotmail.com

Paphiopedilum rothschilidanum is native to Mount Kinabalu in Borneo
(photo by Stewart McPherson)

Cake tribute paid to OSGB

OSGB Vice President Jo Kelleher received a beautiful cake on behalf of the society in June which was presented by Oak Furniture Land at the opening of their new store in Orpington, Kent, where both Jo and OSGB Display Manager Jeanette Beaney live.   

Cake creator Francesca Pitcher and OSGB VP Jo Kelleher

Oak Furniture Land paid tribute to the OSGB’s success at Chelsea by asking Kent-based cake artist Francesca Pitcher of North Star Cakes to design a cake in the shape of a jardinière of Eulophia guineensis.  This species appeared on our Chelsea display as it is native to the Sultanate of Oman, whose Ministry of Tourism sponsored us again this year. 

The cake is based on the stylised aesthetic movement in art, specifically British porcelain of the period. The jardinière is decorated with one of the species from this year’s gold-medal winning display, Cattleya purpurata, while other sections are based on enamelled jewellery depicting a generic Cattleya design. 

The astonishingly realistic Eulophia guineensis spikes were made from sugar and floristry wire, then hand painted in edible dusts. As no cutters exist for this flower the artist spent a day working on three prototypes before work could begin on the three spikes which took a further two and a half days to produce.

On being presented with the cake Jo Kelleher said ‘We are delighted to welcome Oak Furniture Land to the area and wish them every success for the future.  The floral cake tribute is a wonderful gesture to celebrate our second successive Gold medal at Chelsea and to highlight the Society’s work in conserving and cultivating orchids. We are holding a lunch to welcome new members in August and the cake will take centre stage there.’

Store Manager Fiona Cooper presents the cake to Jo Kelleher alongside
Deputy Major of Bromley, Councillor Kate Lymer

To find out more about Oak Furniture Land visit Oak Furniture Land

Silver-Gilt medal at Malvern show

The society received a Silver-Gilt medal for its attractive display at last weekend's Malvern International Orchid Show.  Held at the Royal Three Counties Showground, located beside the Malvern hills, this thriving show is an excellent reason to visit this beautiful part of the country.

OSGB Silver-Gild medal winning display at
Malvern International Orchid Show

The beautiful Malvern hills from the showground

The display featured a wide range of orchids including Anguloa x ruckeri, Maxillaria hennisiana, Encyclia Rioclarense and Dendrobium antennatum.

Anguloa x ruckeri

Maxillaria hennisiana

Encyclia Rioclarense

Dendrobium antennatum

A large,branching-spiked Phalenopsis Sogo Yukidian on the display was awarded 2nd place for Best Amateur Phalaenopsis by the show judges.

OSGB Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian
2nd place for best Amateur Phalaenopsis in Show

Photographic and Art competition results

The photographic and art competition was held alongside the AGM at the June meeting.  Many thanks to all the members who entered their wonderful photographs, paintings, drawings and artwork.

The class winners were as follows:

Class 1 - large orchid photograph
Spiranthes cernua by Nigel Johnson

Class 2 - small habitat photograph
Cypripedium calceolus by Stuart Meeson

Class 3 - large orchid photograph
Cattleya (nobilior x Marjorie Hausermann) by Sam Hurley

Class 4 - large habitat photograph
Dactylorhiza cordigera subsp. bosniaca by Sam Hurley

Class 5 - orchid display photograph
RBG Kew orchid display by Stuart Meeson

Class 6a - Orchid painting
Cymbidium Green Valley Emerald by Doreen Jenkinson

Class 6b - orchid art/craft
Paphiopedilum embroidery by Kathy Trendell

Class 7 - professional orchid photograph
Prosthechea mariae by Henry Oakeley

Malvern International Orchid Show

The society will be exhibiting at this wonderful show, now in its second year having replaced the one at Peterborough.  

Please visit us at the Royal Three Counties Showground from Friday 13 June to Sunday 15 June.  

For more information visit: www.malvern-ios.org