Aliquam pretium
19th WOC Miami, USA 2008
WOCs 1954-1987
1st World Orchid Conference Trust
October 1954
St. Louis, USA
Organised by the renowned, late Gordon Dillon with the co-operation of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis and the American Orchid Society, the 1st World Orchid Conference brought together in excess of 600 amateurs, professionals, botanists and collectors from around the globe which proved to be the beginning of many hugely successful international events on the orchid calendar.
At this show, seven Awards of Merit, one Certificate of Preliminary Commendation and two Judges Commendations were awarded.
2nd World Orchid Conference Trust
September 1957
Honolulu, USA
The 2nd World Orchid Conference was led by Chadsey Penhallow who took the reins after the untimely death just prior to the Conference from organisor Dr John Beaumont. The famous Reef Hotel on Waikiki Beach served as the conference headquarters and registrants were welcomed at an Aloha party. Visitors were struck by the dark Tricoglottis brachiate variety philippinensis on display. Lectures were delivered by Oscar Kirsch, Ben Kodama, Ernest Iwanaga and Masatoshi Miyamoto . All names we have become synonymous with in the history of orchids and their names.
3rd World Orchid Conference Trust
May 1960
London, England
The Trustees accepted the bid by the Royal Horticultural Society to host the 3rd World Orchid Conference in London, England, immediately after the world famous Chelsea Flower Show. Co-sponsored with the American Orchid Society and the Orchid Society of Great Britain the events attendance exceeded 1000 visitors. The highlight of the Conference was the approval of the Royal Horticutural Society as the official International Registration Authority.
4th World Orchid Conference Trust
October 1963
Singapore
Singapore was the host city of the 4th World Orchid Conference under the auspices of the Malayan Orchid Society. It was at his conference that a Handbook Committee was established and authorized to create a Handbook on Orchid Nomenclature.
5th World Orchid Confernce Trust
April 1966
Long Beach, USA
The Orchid Society of Southern California hosted the 5th World Orchid Conference in Long Beach California.
6th World Orchid Confernce Trust
September 1969
Sydney, Australia
Homegrown Cymbidiums were the highlight of the conference in Australia due to harsh restrictions on importing plants and flowers from overseas. Aussie growers were the first to hand out suitcase stickers and began the custom of giving registrants tote bag.
7th World Orchid Conference Trust
April 1972
Medellín, Colombia - April 1972
Cattleya and Oncidium species were abundant at this South American Conference with its Spanish themed events.
8th World Orchid Conference Trust
April 1975
Frankfurt, Germany
The 8th World Orchid Conference returned to Europe, Frankfurt, Germany. The European growers, collectors and nurserymen turned out in their droves subsequently starting the production of Cymbidiums as pot plants and cut flowers.
9th World Orchid Conference Trust
January 1978
Bangkok, Thailand
Back to the tropical climates of Asia, Bangkok hosted a conference festooned with Dendrobiums and Vandas. It was the first show to be hosted in open and it was a festival of colourful orchid flowers.
10th World Orchid Conference
September 1981
Durban, South Africa
Documented as one of the finest World Orchid Conferences ever staged, Durban introduced ‘home dinners’, with overseas registrants being hosted by warm and friendly South Africans at home during the conference.
The Grand Champion Orchid – Cymbidium Highland Mist ‘Dillabirra’ is still a popular cut flower Cymbidium. Organised by the South African ‘lady” of Orchids Carmen Coll and her team, I am proud to have her scrapbooks and memorabilia as part of my exhibit.
11th World Orchid Conference
April 1984
Miami, USA
Grand Champion Orchid – Vanda DEVA ‘Robert’ AM/AOS SM/11WOC
The 11th World Orchid Conference was back on home territory and there were monumental exhibits, the size of which had never before been seen before. This conference also holds the record for having in excess of 2500 registrants from some 57 countries.
12th World Orchid Conference
March 1987
Tokyo, Japan
Grand Champion Orchid – Paphiopedilum micranthum
Best Exhibit – Tochigi Orchid Growers’ Association
White Phalaenopsis were in abundance and of quality never seen before as can be seen in the Tochigi Orchid Growers’ Association exhibit. The first parvisepalum Paphiopedilum hybrids were being offered for sale and Fragrance Judging was introduced to the orchid world. The exhibition and sales area were staged in inflated domes.
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