We are a group of enthusiasts who meet to share our enjoyment of orchids.
Membership is open to anyone who is interested.
Beginners are very welcome!
Web site last update -
15th March 2025
PRIVACY: This is a passive web site whose purpose is to share information with Society members and the public at large. We do not use cookies; we collect no data.
OUR NEXT MEETING> will be on Friday 21st March 2025 at St Mary’s Church Hall, opening at 7pm.
At 7.30pm, we will have a discussion on using baskets and mounts for growing orchids. If you already do this, please bring examples to fuel the discussion. Flowers are not essential, though desirable. I will provide materials to exemplify the whole process which is very flexible.
I would also like to discuss the use of photography during meetings. You may have noticed that I have started putting photographs both on our web site – a different one every time I update it – and in this email. Up to now these have all been my own photographs. Maybe we can find a way to derive benefit from using other members’ photographs, perhaps a sort of photographic competition?
At the most recent British Orchid Council (BOC) meeting, several societies reported that they facilitated photography during the meetings. We could try this to encourage interest in the BOC’s Photographic Competition. Over its lifetime – thirteen years or so – the first prize has twice been won by a CANWOS member. The three prizes offered each year are for £50, £30 and £20.
Also, there is now a CANWOS Whats-App running. I was very resistant to joining this but now that I have, I can see the benefits. It is quite fun and sometimes actively useful. However we need a conversation on how to avoid being split in to two groups – those that are on it and those who are not.
But we must spend some time on our main purpose which is to admire and talk about how we grow the plants on the Show table. This is where much information gets shared and passed on to fellow members. And as usual, we will have a raffle, prizes welcome.
Sadly, no one has signed up to do the teas this month. The first volunteer can have the pleasure!
Celia & I will be eating in The Ship Inn at 5.45pm, prior to our meeting. If you would like to join us there, please let me know no later than lunch time Thursday so that I can book the table.
| 2024 | |
| Friday 20th September |
Tropical orchids without heat Orchids for sale |
| Friday 18th October | The AGM with other delights |
| Friday 15th November | To be announced |
| 2025 | |
| Friday 17th January | "Organic Bio-stimulants”Sean, aka "Scouse Bonsai |
| Friday 25/26th January | Gordale Nursery Orchid Festival CANWOS will put on a display |
| Friday 21st February | Birds, the Bees and the Orchids |
| Friday 21st March | A Practical session on mounting orchid and the use of baskets |
| Friday 25th April | A Practical session on "Repot, divide and share" |
| Friday 16th May | The Auction |
| Friday 20st June | To be announced |
| Friday 19th September |
To be announced |
| Friday 17th October |
The AGM |
| British Orchid Council | Our national organisation for orchid growing. There are lots of links here to other orchid societies around the country. |
| Latest BOC Update Newsletter | Clicking this link will open the latest BOC Update Newsletter in a new window. |
| Plants of the World | The Kew database of species plants. Search by genus or species. |
| Jay Pfahl's Orchid Photographs | For photographs of orchid species,this is the place for you. Access the photos of over 24,186 orchids. |
| The International Orchid Register | Search the database of registered hybrids. Use full or partial names to identify parents and children of a grex. |
| Orchid History | Ron Rigby's site - with lots of information on the history of orchid growing is now back. |
Where We Meet
We use the hall just behind St Mary's Church on Overleigh Road, just South of the River Dee.
The post code for the Church is CH4 7HL.
We meet at St Mary's Church Hall, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7HL, usually on the third Friday of the month but not in December, July or August. The Hall is open from 7.00pm.
Members are encouraged to bring their plants in flower to each meeting. There is a wealth of information within the Society and it is our tradition that this is shared freely amongst members.
We send an email to all our members about ten days before our regular meetings, to remind them what is on and to pass on other information. We are happy to send these to non-members and potential visitors - please use the index tab (☰) to reach the 'Contact Us' section.
At most meetings there is a raffle. Members often donate orchid plants. Refreshments such as tea and coffee are available during the evening, usually immediately after the speaker.
We have a library that contains many books suitable for both beginners and experts. Members can borrow books for one month and can browse the reference books, which cannot be loaned out.
At meetings where plants are not for sale by the evening's speaker, members may offer their own orchid plants for sale. A 20% seller's premium is levied and donated to the Society.
Each year we hold an auction where members buy and sell plants. Typically, about eighty plants are sold each year, usually at very advantageous prices. A seller's and buyer's premium operates (10% for each) and the proceeds are donated to the Society. This is an excellent way to extend a collection and try new types of orchid.
The annual subscription is currently £12. We no longer offer double or family
membership. Subscriptions are normally paid to the Membership Secretary at or just after the
October meeting.
CANWOS registered with the the Charity Commission in 1993 but surrendered its registration in 2011. It is now a "Charity exempt from the need to register". Tax paying members can still benefit the Society by making a Gift Aid declaration. Details can be obtained from the Treasurer at any of the meetings.
The Society is a member of the British Orchid Council (BOC) and sends two
representatives to its meetings. CANWOS is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and
members can use some of the benefits available.
A copy of our present Constitution is available for downloading by clicking on CANWOS Constitution. This was last revised at our 2012 AGM.