18 
XXVIII. EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS 
81. The Gardens participated in several shows during the year of which 
two were in the international class. A large consignment of orchid blooms and 
some aroids were sent to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Annual Show held 
at Chelsea London in May. The staging of our display was arranged by 
Mr. Purseglove, who was on leave in England prior to retirement. Thanks for 
assistance are also due to Dr. R. E. Holttum and to Mr. L. Stenning, Curator, 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Though individual blooms were put up for 
awards, none was successful. The display as a whole however was awarded 
the Banksian Silver-gilt Medal for Gardens, Flowers and Ornamental Plants. 
Another larger consignment of orchids was sent to Hawaii for the Second 
World Orchid Congress in September. No award was won though blooms were 
entered for competition in four classes of cut flowers: Vandas, Dendrobiums, 
Other Genera and Collections. It must be noted that the Malayan Orchid 
Society was strongly represented at the Congress. Mr. Tan Chee Tong won 
awards for the best cut-flower Vanda and the best cut-flower Dendrobium in 
the show. These were Dend. Caesar (white) and V. Tan Chay Yan var. Ong 
Siew Hong, a dark brown sibling of this family. 
82. The Gardens staged a non-competitive display at the Malayan Agri- 
Horticultural Association show in Kuala Lumpur in July. Three groups of 
plants, orchids, succulents and Saintpaulias were shown. Acknowledgement is 
due to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for financial assistance which 
made it possible to take part in this show. Considerable interest was shown in 
the Federal Capital in the Gardens’ plants and many enquiries and sales 
orders have resulted. 
83. The annual flower show of the Singapore Gardening Society was 
held at the Happy World Stadium on 29th-31st March. Mr. G. H. Addison 
was honorary show manager and Mr. A. G. Alphonso honorary assistant show 
manager. Two big groups of orchids and succulents were exhibited. The 
Government House Domain competed in various classes and were awarded a 
number of prizes. The Department was awarded the prize for the best hybrid 
raised in Singapore. The plant exhibited was Vanda B.P. Mok var. Old Rose. 
The pedigree of this cross is:— 
Vanda dearei X V. sumatrana V. hookeriana X V, teres 
\ 
V, Miss .Toaquim X V. teres 
V. sumarie X V. Miss van Deum 
I 
V. B.P. Mok 
84. The first post-war orchid show by the Malayan Orchid Society also 
at the Happy World Stadium was held on 6-8th September. The Gardens 
gave considerable assistance in the way of pot plants and decorative material. 
Mr. J. L. Pestana was a member of the management committee for the show. 
The Gardens’ exhibit of the largest group of orchids was one of the main 
attractions. The Department was awarded the prize for the best Malayan 
hybrid flowering for the first time. The plant was Aranda Mauve Star, whose 
pedigree is:— 
Vanda luzonica X V. caerulea 
Arachnis hookeriana var. luteola X V. Flammerolle 
Aranda Mauve Star 
