Chelsea Flower Show: Orchids, Colonialism, Legacy

Aim: Support Dino's exhibit revealing orchids' colonial past and how Victorian exploitation still affects people and the environment today

"Did you know that the orchid family, the largest in the plant kingdom, is also among the most endangered? This tragic paradox is rooted in the legacies of Western colonialism, which continues to impact both people and environment today.

Help Shape Tomorrow: Join us in exposing how Conservation, Colonialism and Environmental History are intertwined, and discover their lasting impacts at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025! We will get the dark side of imperial botany and exploitation of Indigenous people into the spotlight, whilst starting conversations how to protect livelihoods, planet and wild orchids in the future. 

"Orchid Obsession: A Love Through Time"

This crucial story of orchids needs your support.

I’m thrilled to share that I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present an educational exhibit at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show (May 19-24), one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural events. To turn this vision into reality and ignite a conversation for change, I need your help now!"

What Makes This Exhibit Special

"Orchid Obsession: A Love Through Time" will be a groundbreaking 6-meter installation in the Great Pavilion that explores the environmental history of orchids from 1817 to the present day. This isn't just another pretty flower display - it's the first ever exhibit at Chelsea to confront colonialism and imperial botany head-on.

At the heart of the exhibit will be an authentic 19th-century style orchid display, surrounded by a narrative that challenges our understanding of these beloved flowers:

• The Dark Side of Beauty: How Victorian plant hunters decimated entire ecosystems and exploited indigenous people in their ruthless pursuit of exotic orchids and still continues to this day
• Hidden Heroes: The story of Edmond Albius, an enslaved African boy from Reunion who revolutionized the vanilla industry by discovering how to hand-pollinate the vanilla orchid (yes, vanilla is an orchid!)
• Crisis Point: How orchids became the planet's most endangered plant group, with over half of all species on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Red List

Above: Edmond Albius, a Black African slave boy from Reunion island who discovered the pollinating mechanism for the Vanilla orchid in the 19th century. Despite his discovery directly resulting in its industrial production, he remained unrecognised in his lifetime for his extraordinary achievement and died in poverty. 

Why This Matters Now

As an environmental historian, I'm bringing a humanities perspective to orchid conservation - moving beyond pure science to examine how human perceptions, colonialism, and consumption have shaped our relationship with these remarkable plants.

The exhibit will showcase rare specimens seldom seen by the public, including:

• Vanda lombokensis
• Dendrobium polysema
• Miniature orchids just millimeters in height (Schoenorchis and Platystele)

How Your Support Makes a Difference

To rise above our past, we must confront it boldly, regardless of the discomfort it may bring. This is our chance to illuminate the stories of Indigenous exploitation and environmental destruction, transforming painful truths into powerful narratives that drive change. By sharing these vital histories, we can pave the way for a more just and sustainable future for all.

Your contributions will fund:

• Exhibition Design and Construction: Transforming ideas into a stunning visual experience that captivates and educates visitors.
• Historical Research and Educational Materials: Providing in-depth insights and context to foster understanding of the intricate relationship between orchids, colonialism, and environmental conservation.
• Transportation and Logistics: Ensuring our exhibit reaches the Chelsea Flower Show and can be effectively showcased to a diverse audience.
• Post-Show Conservation Initiatives: Extending the impact of our message beyond the show; your support will help fund ongoing efforts to conserve wild orchids and promote sustainable practices around the world.

Together, we can illuminate the importance of orchid conservation and inspire action on a global scale. Your support is not just a contribution; it’s a commitment to fostering change, preserving biodiversity, and supporting communities that have historically been overlooked. Join us in this vital journey — together, we can make a lasting difference.

Be Part of a Historic Moment

This is your chance to support a project that doesn't just celebrate beauty, but tells the whole truth about our botanical heritage. Together, we can create a moment of reckoning and renewal at the world's most famous flower show.

Chelsea Flower Show reaches millions through global media coverage - help me use this platform to change how we think about orchids, conservation, and our colonial past.

Thank you for considering this project. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to making this important exhibition a reality.

This project successfully funded on 18th April 2025