On Saturday 25th October the group visited the British Orchid Council’s 23rd Congress held at the Langstone Hotel in Dawlish Warren.
The British Orchid Council (BOC) is a registered charity and is the umbrella organisation for the world of orchids in the UK, bringing together the amateur and commercial orchid growers as well as members of the scientific community in a single forum. The main objectives of the BOC are to promote and broaden the knowledge of orchids and to encourage excellence in their culture.
They also run Congresses around every 18 months or so, based in different parts of the country. Each congress comprises a three-day (first day is for setting up) Orchid Show and lecture programme which attracts growers, speakers and visitors from around the world. Each congress is considered to be the pinnacle of the British Orchid Calendar.
All plants that are entered into the show are judged for BOC awards by a panel of judges drawn both from the BOC and visiting judges from overseas. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also meets to consider plants for RHS awards.
The Dawlish Warren event was hosted by the Devon Orchid Society.
Some members of the group travelled my minibus – a 12 seater for 9 people allowed plenty of room for plant purchases!
Some of the beautiful plants on display and available for purchase.
The next British Orchid Council Congress will be held in Peterborough.