History

The Federation of Malaya Orchid Society (FOMOS) was registered as a society on 31st October 1958 in Penang (Reg. Number 206; reference: RS334/58). FOMOS was formed by group of orchid enthusiasts and associations of orchid collectors throughout the Pearl of Orient (state of Penang), thus the oldest orchid society in Malaya  (Malaysia) was formed.

Our objective is to stimulate knowledge, science and practice of orchid culture (cultivation). It is greatly hoped that knowledge sharing among enthusiastic members, growers and hobbyists will serve to bring enhance global appreciation of orchids to mankind.

Orchidaceae

Orchidaceae (or Orchid family) is the largest family of the flowering plants (Angiospermae). Its name is derived from the genus Orchis.

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list 880 genera and nearly 22,000 accepted species, but the exact number is unknown (perhaps as many as 25,000) because of taxonomic disputes. The number of orchid species equals about four times the number of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird species.It also encompasses about 6–11% of all seed plants. About 800 new orchid species are added each year. The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes the Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or Cattleya.

Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century, horticulturists have more than 100,000hybrids and cultivars.