Stanhopea is a genus of orchids from Central and South America. They are notorious for producing one of the strongest fragrances known in the plant kingdom. The flowers are also very peculiar: they have an intricate architecture and are born in hanging spikes that grow directly downwards.

Mr. Dick Hartley and his wife Denise have a great passion for Stanhopeas and began to grow these fascinating orchids in 1965. By 2001 their collection was recognised as the largest of its kind in the UK, thus being granted National Collection Status by the Plant Heritage Council.

We now know that it is the most comprehensive Stanhopea collection in Europe and having spoken with similar growers in Australia, USA and South America, it is likely that this collection could well achieve a unique status worldwide, due to its size and diversity.

Over the last 50 years, Mr and Mrs Hartley have developed an intensive hybridisation programme and many of their Stanhopea crosses were made and registered for the very first time ever. Records are further complemented by a spirit collection of preserved flowers. They have also won many awards while exhibiting their blooming orchids in plant fairs and shows across the UK.

Nowadays, the Stanhopea collection comprises a few thousand specimens that are being cultivated in two large greenhouses which create the tropical environment necessary for these plants to thrive in cultivation.

Last year, an arrangement was made to re-locate the collection to the Island of Madeira, after failed attempts to find a new suitable place within the UK or mainland Europe. Nobody was able to provide the necessary space needed for a collection of these proportions, as well as the tremendous heating costs involved when running tropical greenhouses in temperate climates.

Madeira Island is famous for its mild climate which is also suitable for many tropical orchids including Stanhopeas: the plants are able to thrive outdoors without the need of a greenhouse or artificial heating in winter.This ability to grow them in the open air year round is a way to safeguarding the amazing life's achievement of Mr and Mrs Hartley.

As botanists and professional horticulturists, we have the gift to perpetuate living plant material through time... and a collection like this can easily outlive any of us, provided it receives adequate care.

In a world where tropical rain forests are consistently cut down and destroyed for the palm oil industry, many plant species need our help to prevent their imminent extinction. They need to be preserved for generations to come and serve of inspiration for a new era of young horticulturists.

This crowdfunding campaign is to help with the expenses associated with the re-location of the collection. The plants are going to be accommodated in cardboard boxes, which are stored within a 40ft metal container. Then, the container will be driven by land from Stoke-on-Trent to the sea port of Leixões (mainland Portugal). From there, the plants are shipped in a vessel to Madeira Island by sea.The duration of the entire journey is about 7 to 12 days and it is due to happen in October 2018. The breakup of the costs is as follows:

• Land ransportation in a truck by a professional freight company: 3714.47£ (This includes the rental costs of the 40ft container and sea transportation too).

• Transit taxes and fees: 119.32£

• 170 bespoke cardboard boxes (Dimensions: 620x1030x550mm) and packing material: 790.50£

• Fees/Comission charged by Justgiving.com: 231.22£

• Total: 4855.21

Fortunately, no extra paperwork is necessary to ship living plants within countries of the European Union. If the crowdfunding campaign is successful and exceeds the main target, any extra funds will be used to create a physical structure to hang the baskets, to fit a suitable watering system and to invest in the long term maintenance costs of the collection.

In the next 2 to 3 years, the aim is to create a space to display the plants, which will be open to the general public year around. This way, everybody can enjoy up close the seductive beauty and experience the powerful fragrance these flowers are capable of emiting.

Another important objective is to continue the breeding program established by Mr. Dick and Mrs. Denise Hartley, in order to create all the primary crosses within the genus Stanhopea. Meanwhile, the collection will also be the main resource for a PhD study which will cover the entire genus, adding more crucial information about the ecology of these fascinating plants.

Lastly, all the endangered species will be propagated in a consistent manner, thus securing their conservation and long term survival ex-situ.

For videos and more information about the collection, please visit the Foxdale Orchids website.

Thank you for your time and please do help us to spread the word. A personalised guided tour of the collection will be offered to the 10 largest pledges, upon the inauguration of their new exhibit in Madeira Island.

With kind regards, Michael Benedito

UPDATE 1:

Dear all,

It has been 2 weeks since the beginning of the campaign and we had achieved already 31% of the total amount!

I also had received a very kind donation of £1000 (£500 from Lady Alexander of Weedon and £500 from Mr. Spencer Ray) which were deposited straight into my bank account.

The total crowdfunding amount was readjusted to include this very generous donation! To every person who contributed to the campaign financially (also by spreading the word) my huge THANK YOU. I’m very grateful for all the support!

I will also be doing a short amateur documentary of the stanhopea move in October, as a way to show my appreciation for all the support I’m receiving. Thanks again! Michael.