Our History
The Bermuda Orchid Society originated from a small group of orchid enthusiasts after World War II which met informally at each others slat houses. This group included Lady Florence Conyers, Mr. Gussie Baker, Mrs. Mary Murdoch, Miss Margaret Holmes and Mr. Bennie Ferguson.
In 1954, they formed a small society that grew into today's Bermuda Orchid Society. Miss Holmes stated in an newspaper article in the 50th in the 'Sunday Royal Gazette' that cultivating orchids was "like a disease ... If you have one plant you won't stop".
This has been true for many members throughout the history of the society. While a few members were growing plants commercially, most have enjoyed their collections in the private homes. Plants are raised in green or slat houses, hanging in baskets under trees in the garden or are thriving in pots on window sills.
Every year the society takes part in the Annual Exhibition and impresses Bermudians with a terrific splash of colour in the commercial slat house of the Botanical Garden. The overwhelming variety of plants in the orchid family and their different cultivation requirements makes it such joy and challenge to nurture them. The sub tropical climate of Bermuda with all year round moderate temperatures makes it the ideal place to grow many species and hybrids successfully. Thus it is of no surprise that the society enjoys the dedication of a large group of growers year after year.
Today about 90 members are active in the society and are insuring the survival of many species and hybrids on the island. To keep the collections growing orchids are imported for an annual plant sale or are acquired at the November auctions.
50th anniversary
In November 2004 the Bermuda Philatelic Society celebrated the 50th anniversary of the society with an anniversary set of stamps and first day cover. Four stamps were issued with images taken by Robert Mercer, Dörte Horsfield. Plants were grown by Antoinette Butz and Robert Mercer.
