How to Become a Member of the Orchid Society of Great Britain (OSGB)

Updated

You can join the Orchid Society of Great Britain through its website, osgb.org.uk. The site presents OSGB as a club open to anyone who grows orchids, "whether on a windowsill or professionally," and includes a "Click to become a member" link as the entry point to join. Membership is described as national and international, with both individual members and Affiliated Societies.

Who can join

According to the OSGB site, membership is for orchid growers at any level — hobbyists growing on a windowsill as well as professional growers. The society also welcomes Affiliated Societies alongside individual members, and its membership extends beyond the UK.

What membership offers

The site lists the following benefits for members:

  • Meetings and social contact — a place for members to meet socially and to show their orchids
  • Plant sales — opportunities to acquire new orchids
  • Education — lectures and cultural advice on growing orchids
  • A quarterly journal — described as "a respected journal"
  • A comprehensive library — available to members
  • Exhibiting at shows — including the Online Table Show (see below)

How to join: step by step

  1. Go to osgb.org.uk.
  2. Look for the "Click to become a member" link on the site.
  3. Follow the joining instructions provided there.

The site does not publish membership fees or payment details in the material available, so check the membership page itself for current rates and any login requirements before signing up.

A reason to join if you can't attend meetings: the Online Table Show

OSGB runs an Online Table Show for members who can't get to physical meetings or whose orchids bloom when no events are scheduled. Entries are submitted by following the instructions on the Online Table Show page, and plants are assessed by OSGB judges. This is a practical option for remote or international members who still want their plants evaluated.

Try before you join

You don't need to be a member to get a feel for the society. The site offers:

  • Orchid care guides — a growing collection aimed at helping you get the best from your plants
  • News — updates on society activity
  • The Online Table Show page — to see how judging works

Browsing these first is a sensible way to judge whether the society's interests match yours before committing to membership.