Congress Notes

British Orchid Congresses, normally held every 18 months or so, form one of the pinnacles of the British orchid calendar.  Successive Congresses are hosted and organised on behalf of BOC by a different member Society or a group of member Societies - and therefore held in a different part of the country.

Each Congress comprises a three-day Orchid Show and lecture programme (the first day is primarily for staging) drawing exhibitors, speakers and visitors from around the world.  It may also act as a host to meetings of various specialist groups.  All plants in the Show are judged for BOC awards, by teams of qualified judges drawn from the BOC list accompanied by visiting judges from overseas.  Additionally, the RHS Orchid Committee meets to consider plants for RHS awards.