World Orchid Conference Postponed

Towards the end of January the news broke about Covid-19 then during February we heard about its spread around the world. For those of us who had booked to attend and judge at the World Orchid Conference in Tiachung, Taiwan it was now a case of shall we continue with our travel plans or not? On Friday evening, February 28, the decision was made for us when we received the following message from the organisers: “Although tremendous efforts have been placed on organising the orchid conference and show and plenty has been done to keep everyone safe, in light of possible further disease spread and the central government raising the condition to Level 1, the City of Tiachung and Taiwan Orchid Growers Association have jointly decided to postpone the event to a later time in 2020 after the Covid-19 has subsided.”

At the moment my travelling companions and I are waiting to hear what refunds we are eligible for. I was so looking forward to this trip and calling into Singapore on the way home but at the end of the day we have to be sensible. There will be other shows and with that in mind below are a few international shows I’ve recently heard about that could be of interest. If you know of any others that are worth a mention please let me know.

International Orchid Shows
3rd World Slipper Orchid Conference: January 15-18, 2021, Grand Naniloa Hotel, Hilo, Hawai’i.
22nd Australian Orchid Council Conference & Show: September 1-5, 2021 will be held at the Logan Metro Sports & Events Centre, Crestmead, Queensland, Australia. Register your interest and receive updates by email. 
APOC 2022 Singapore
WOC 2023 Perth, Australia

Orchid of the Year Winners

OCNZ is delighted to announce the winners of the 2019 Orchids of the Year. Congratulations to you all and to the effort you have put into producing such magnificent plants. Photos of these orchids will appear in the 2020 Yearbook.

Orchid of the Year: Phragmipedium Grande ‘Jacqui’s Dream’, FCC 92.79, Thomas Petrie.
Cymbidium of the Year: Cym. Memoria Norm Porter ‘Redvale’, AM 82.78, R & S Tucker.
Species of the Year: Paphiopedilum Iowii ‘Katipo’, AM 83.30, Jason Strong.
Cultural Award: Dendrobium nobile ‘Traveller’, CCE 95.00, Craig Parsons.

It was agreed by the committee to give Special Merit Awards to the other two CCEs – Phrag. Grande ‘Jacqui’s Dream’, CCE 93.14, Thomas Petrie; and Den. thyrsiflorum ‘Datter’, CCE 90.52, Leroy Orchids.

OCNZ Associate Membership

Just a reminder that if you no longer have a local orchid society you can become an Associate Member of the OCNZ. For an annual fee of $20 an Associate will receive the Yearbook and newsletters. Payments to be made to the Secretary, OCNZ. Please pass this information on to anyone who may be interested.

– Glenys MacRae