1975 – Aloe 75 International Congress
Aloe 75 International Congress
14-20 July 1975
Aloe 75, Rhodesia’s first international Succulent Congress, was organised by the Aloe, Cactus and Succulent Society of Rhodesia and was held at the Monomatapa Hotel in Salisbury during July, 1975.
The Congress paid attention to Euphorbias, Stapelias and other succulents but, since aloes are Rhodesia’s outstanding flowering succulent, it devoted attention primarily to the genus Aloe, and as the focus was on this genus the Congress was therefore considered the first aloe congress.
The papers presented to Congress appealed to botanists, horticulturists, nurserymen and collectors of rare species, while subjects such as the spectacular developments in hybridization were of interest to gardeners in many countries.
Apart from the formal International Congress, there were numerous excursions into the veld so that delegates could observe various species in their habitat. In addition, there was a number of supporting functions and exhibitions, including a philatelic exhibition, which had a botanical theme and the striking of a commemorative medallion featuring Rhodesia’s unique Aloe ortholopha.