Gauteng International Orchid Conference and Show

The three orchid societies in the Gauteng Province of South Africa are combining resources in presenting the Gauteng International Orchid Conference and Show in September 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. This event is precursor to the 21st World Orchid Conference which will be hosted by the same societies in 2014 in South Africa. With this forthcoming Show and Conference we want to introduce not only ourselves as orchid growers and enthusiasts, but also South Africa in general.

Amongst others, South Africa has more than 400 indigenous orchid species, of which the disas are probably the best known.

VENUE

The Orchid Conference and Show will take place at the Safari Garden Centre in Lynnwood Road, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria East. This venue has excellent exhibition and conference facilities (www.safarikwekery.com). Accommodation in a number of B & Bs and lodges are within easy reach, one or two within walking distance.(refer link below)

CONFERENCE

An interesting and informative 2 day conference is being planned for Friday 24 September (Heritage Day in South Africa) and Saturday 25 September 2010. The speakers, local and foreign are experts in their particular fields.

Refer to the link to day and conference programmes below or click here to download the programmes right away.

Conference speakers

Ten speakers will give presentations on a range of topics of interest to the beginner orchid hobbyist up to the experienced orchid grower.

  • Johan Hermans from the UK, keynote speaker, will give an overview of the orchids of Madagascar, including information on interesting new species.
  • Josè Portilla, Ecuador, will deal with the Cattleyas of Ecuador.
  • Chui Leng from Singapore will introduce us to THE GARDENS IN THE BAY as an introduction to 20th World Orchid Conference in Singapore in 2011.
  • James Rose, USA - Current Epidendrum hybridising.
  • Nollie Cilliers - The Gatton Park Tints - a hundred years of blues (hybridsing for blue orchids).
  • Ann Duckworth - We're not obsessed with size (Growing specimen orchid plants).
  • Chris Hammond - Harry Bolus and the one that forgot to flower.
  • Lourens Grobler will discuss the Sobralias as the "in" orchids.
  • Hendrik Vorster will give a presentation on current Cymbidium breeding in South Africa
  • A presentation is also on the cards about the breeding of South African orchids by the world renowned Duckitt Orchid Nurseries (Pty) Ltd in Darling.

SHOW

The 3 day show will run from Friday 24 September to Sunday 26 September and will feature wonderful exhibits by many of the South African Orchid Societies, individuals, and local and overseas vendors. Provision is also made for orchid art in its different forms including paintings, cake decorating and flower arranging as well as a photography competition. An essential part of the show is judging of plants and exhibits. A first for South Africa will be medal judging that will supplement the more familiar show judging.

PLANT SALES

A wide range of select, excellent quality orchid species and hybrid plants will be on sale by local and overseas vendors.
The vendors are as follows:

Overseas

Ecuagenera from Ecuador, South America (Jòse Portilla) - www.ecuagenera.com / pepe@ecuagenera.co
Ching Hua Orchids, Taiwan (Kao Shui En) - www.chinghuaorchids.com.tw / chorchid@ms15.hinet.net
Water Orchids, Taiwan (Hope Sun) - www.waterorchids.com / waterorchids@gmail.com / water.orchids@msa.hinet.net
CalOrchids, USA (James Rose) - www.calorchid.com / calorchid@cox.net

Local

Christian Giesel - giesel.fam@absamail.co.za
Formosa Orchids (Tammy Weng) - tamiweng@hotmail.com / www.formosaorchids.webs.com
Plantae Orchids (Nollie / Tinus) - www.plantae.co.za / info@plantae.co.za
HQ Orchids (Hendrik Vorster) - hqorchids@mweb.co.za
Stevenson Orchids (Louise Stevenson) - louisestevensonorchids@gmail.com
Sawasdee Orchids (Bill Rutherfort) - billruth@telkomsa.net

Feel free to visit the vendors' web sites or contact them for pre-conference plant orders.

REST OF PROGRAMME

The official opening of the show for conference registrants, vendors and special guests will be at 18:00 on Thursday 23 September.

Events leading to the opening of the show are:

- Plant acceptance for the show from the afternoon of Tuesday 21 September to the next morning, Wednesday 22 September
- Plant judging on Wednesday afternoon and start of building of exhibits
- Registration for the conference on Wednesday to Friday morning
- Thursday - building of exhibits and exhibit judging in the afternoon

Friday evening will see a lam on spit braai, a relaxing, social get together

Closing banquet of the conference will be on Saturday evening 25 September.

PRE- and POST CONFERENCE TOURS

As a registrant, you will be able to join one or more of the specially planned pre- and post conference tours:

PLEASE NOTE: All these tours have been specially arranged for us and participation will be limited to small groups of maximum 12 - 15 people. Early booking is essential.

Please refer to the preliminary programme, the registration forms for the conference and for judges, detail information on the tours and information about accommodation. Further information on the tours, speakers, vendors etc, will be posted on this website as it becomes available.

For more information please feel free to contact:

Christo Page at twopages.wol.co.za; or Catharina at wilfinge@mweb.co.za

South Africa is looking forward to welcoming you to the 2010 ORCHID SAFARI.

                        

DETAILED INFORMATION ON TOURS AND BOOKING PROCEDURES

The tours listed below have been secially organised for registrants to the Conference. The day tours represent some of the best cultural and / or eco-tourist destinations within easy reach from Pretoria, whereas the longer tours have the ultimate of nature as theme: the Kruger National Park and its wild life; the truly spectacular spring flowers of the Western Cape, including many interesting terrestrial orchids; and Madagaskar with its numerous wonderful orchids and unique, endemic fauna.

The tours have specifically been planned to cater for limited groups of 12 persons to keep them personal and exclusive. In all cases use is made of professional guides conversant with local conditions and attractions.

Pre-conference tour:

Post-conference one day tours:

Post-conference long tours:

The day tours and the Kruger National Park tours have been planned to bridge the week between the end of the Conference and Show and the Madagascar trip but is open to any other registrants.

Detailed descriptions and cost of the tours are given below.

Enquiries about terms and conditions and bookings are to be done directly with the tour organiser Animaltracks Islandventures by telephone, fax or e-mail as follows:

(For attention Sabine)

Tel: +27 (0)11 454 0543
Voip: 087 807 7960
Fax: +27 (0)11 454 2365
Mobile: +27 (0)83 378 1938

Animaltracks Islandventures will e-mail, fax or otherwise provide provisional confirmation of the booking, and an invoice for the deposit of the relevant payment. The provisional booking will be confirmed on receipt of the applicable payment and the final arrangements will be communicated.

Please note that the cut-off date for bookings and the final cancellation date for the Madagascar and the Kruger National Park tours are 15 June 2010 because of the pre-booking of accommodation and flights.

                        

Views of Exhibition Area at Safari Garden Centre

Hosting Orchid Societies

GIOCS thanks our sponsors for their support and contributions

Please Note: The opinions & recommendations made in articles that appear on this website, are those of the individual authors, and not those of the Orchid Society of Northern Transvaal (ONT). The ONT neither adopts nor endorses such opinions & recommendations and disclaims all responsibility for them. This includes products advertised on this website.