The Mathers Foundation was set up as a UK orchid conservation charity in 2019. Based in Pulborough, West Sussex our award-winning charity currently looks after 5 National Plant Collections of orchids including Oncidium, Pleione, Stanhopea, Masdevallia and Anguloa with a further collection under consideration. These ex-situ reference collections are cared for by a dedicated team comprising an expert grower and volunteers in leased glasshouses. The purpose of the charity is to conserve living specimens of orchids and act as a living library providing horticulturists and enthusiasts access to these orchids through Guided Tours, Workshops and Shows.

To propagate the next generation of orchids, we created a successful off-site laboratory, with many of the first-generation orchids now in flower. However, the current space at the nursery is full to capacity, and so we have resorted to growing the seedlings on racks under LED lights. This space has proved both expensive and poor growing conditions for these young plants, greatly diminishing their growth. To ensure that we can continue our cutting edge botanical hybridising research, we urgently need a specialist seedling house on-site at the Foundation.

By rehousing our seedlings in this new conservatory and eliminating the need for artificial lighting, the Foundation will become much more energy efficient. The space is currently being prepared for use but we need to fundraise £12,000 for the capital costs of providing benches, screens and a heating system.