4th World Orchid Conference Singapore Malaysia

4th WORLD ORCHID CONFERENCE
It was in 1954 that the 1st World Orchid Conference was held in St. Louis, U.S.A. The American Orchid Society, Inc. sponsored it, and so grew the idea that the best and most knowledgeable orchidists of the world should meet once in three years to exchange their knowledge, to impart their ideas to the public and to get to know each other better.

The 2nd World Orchid Conference was held most appropriately in Honolulu then at the crest of its orchid wave, and it was a fine success, for it combined availability of lovely plants with a site already famous as a tourist paradise. In 1960, the Royal Horticultural Society, London, was given the opportunity of being host to the 3rd World Orchid Conference and the world saw the splendour of its annual Chelsea Flower Show. It was here that the Malayan Orchid Society's exhibit came into prominence. The bright and gay tones of Malayan orchids literally opened the eyes of the thousands who visited the exhibit. The queue in front of the 46 foot long exhibit was 12 deep and jammed tight hour after hour for the duration of the show.

This success was very largely responsible for the fact that this year Singapore is the host to the 4th World Orchid Conference.

The Conference will be held at the Victoria Theatre, beginning from Tuesday, 8th October, 1963. It will be opened by H.E. the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, and will last till Friday, 11th October, 1963.

Preceding the Conference, the Malayan Orchid Society will be holding an Orchid Festival Show on the 3rd October, 1963. The Show will be held in the premises of the Singapore Turf Club. It will give an opportunity for Malaysia to show its orchids, and for professional growers and dealers to exhibit their products and wares to overseas orchidists.

The Singapore Conference is sponsored by three organizations, namely, the American Orchid Society, Inc., the Royal Horticultural Society, London, and the Malayan Orchid Society. In addition, each of these societies has underwritten the Conference against loss to the sum of nearly $50,000. Also, if there is a profit, after a token sum has been deposited into the Conference fund, all excess has been most generously promised by the American Orchid Society, Inc. to be used in Singapore as a fund for research on Malaysian orchids.

The Conference and Show will serve the purposes of showing Malaysian orchids to the world and providing opportunities for obtaining up-to-date orchid knowledge and funds for research.

Technical Details
Special postage stamps of the 6 cents and 25 cents denominations will be issued on 3rd October, 1963, to mark the 4th World Orchid Conference.

Size: 42 mm x 31 mm perforation to perforation in vertical format

Design: Orchid flowers

Colour: Orchid flowers in natural colour and different background colour of each denomination

Printing Process: Photogravure

Paper: Unwatermarked white paper

Printed by: Messrs. Joh. Enschede En Zonen, Holland

Period of Sale: Three months from the date of issue or until stocks are exhausted whichever is earlier.

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Definitive Postage Stamps 1965 State Series (Flowers)

Malaysia which came into being on the 16th September 1963, comprises of the eleven States forming the previous Federation of Malaya, (viz. Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Trengganu), Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore ceased to be a state of Malaysia from 9th August, 1965.

Malaysia covers an area of about 130,000 square miles. It occupies two distinct regions, the Malay Peninsula which extends south of Thailand from the narrow Kra isthmus to the Straits of Johore, and the north-western coastal area of the island of Borneo. The population of Malaysia numbers just over eight million people according to census and population estimate figures as as the end of 1961. The main sources of income are rubber, tin, timber and iron ore. There are, however, many other industries and crafts of importance to the country's economy. The standard of living in Malaysia and the per capita average income are among the highest in Asia.

The charm and tropical beauty of Malaysia and the variety which pervades her life provide most fascinating subjects for depicting on postage stamps. The first issue of Malaysia definitive postage stamps depicts some of the colourful birds and orchid species of Malaysia. These stamps are in two series.

The National series, which depicts birds, consists of eight denominations, viz. 25c, 30c, 50c, 75c, $1, $2, $5 and $10. These stamps, which do not bear State individuality, are common to all the thirteen States.

The State series, which depicts orchids, consists of seven denominations, viz. 1c, 2c, 5c, 6c, 10c, 15c, and 20c. These stamps bear a portrait of his Highness the Ruler of the State and.or the State Crest and the name of the State in Jawi and Roman characters. The vignette of each denomination is common to every State.

The stamps are printed by Messrs. Harrison and Sons Ltd. in multi-colour by the photogravure process on PTM watermarked paper. They measure 25 mm x 35 mm. The National and State series are in vertical and horizontal format respectively. The artist is Mr. A. Fraser-Brunner.

The orchids depicted in the stamps of the State series are described in this brochure. The birds depicted in the stamps of the National series are described in a separate brochure.

ANGGEREK PENSEL
VANDA HOOKERIANA

This is a very common Malaysian orchid. It occurs in open swamp country in Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya. In Perak it is commonly called the Kinta weed. In certain coastal areas in Trengganu it scrambles over bushes and small trees. The plant has a narrow stem with terete leaves. The general colour of the flower is pale mauve with rich purple markings on the lip. Many local hybrids have been made using Vanda hookeriana as a parent. It grows and flowers well in beds. The flower are very decorative and make good cut flowers.

ANGGEREK BAMBU
ARUNDINA GRAMINIFOLIA

A common terrestrial orchid, which one can usually see along cut railway banks. The plants occur in clumps and the slender and erect stems are arranged close together. The leaves are like those of grass or bamboo. The flowers are large pinkish purple with a rich rose lip striped with orange lines on each side of the white throat. The inflorescence is terminal and the flowers are produced one or two at a time.

This species is found in open sunny places throughout Malaysia. They occur both in the lowlands and the mountains.

ANGGEREK KASUT
PAPHIOPEDILUM NIVEUM

One of Malaysia's most beautiful orchid is Paphiopedilum niveum. It is commonly known as the slipper orchid because the lip of the flower is in the form of a slipper. The plant itself is small, not more than 9 ins. in height with close set fleshy leaves, which are purple on the undersurface and dark green on top and mottled white. The flowers are almost pure white marked with purple dots especially toward the base.

It is found in the limestone areas of Langkawi and northern Perlis. In Langkawi it is found on limestone rocks by the sea.

This orchid is very much sought after both by local and overseas collectors.

ANGGEREK BULOH HUTAN
SPATHOGLOTTIS PLICATA

A very common terrestrial orchid widely distributed throughout Malaysia and extensively cultivated as a pot plant is the Spathoglottis plicata. The leaves resemble those of a palm and the general colour of the flower is bright purple with the lip a deeper purple and having a yellow calli. There are many cultivated varieties differing in size and colour. Some varieties are white, mauve or pale mauve. Many hybrids have been raised from this species.

ANGGEREK KESTURI
ARACHNIS FLOS-AERIS

This is the true Scorpion orchid and the flowers are slightly fragrant. It is found in Perak and Pahang and also in Sarawak and Sabah. It is a long climbing plant, and usually forms thickets over small trees and bushes.

The general colour of the flower is pale yellow green, with broad and irregular dark purple brown bars and spots. It is a very handsome orchid and grown usually as a bedding plant.

Many hybrids have been made by using this species as a stud.

ANGGEREK LILIN or ANGGEREK EKOR TUPAI
RHYNCOSTYLIS RETUSA

This plant has a beautiful inflorescence with small flowers clustered together. It is called commonly the fox tail orchid because the inflorescence resembles that of a fox's tail. In some States in Malaysia it is referred to as 'ekor tupai' or squirrel's tail. The flower is purplish white with few purple spots. The lip is purple. It is a most handsome orchid and occurs in Langkawi, Kedah, Northern Perak, Kelantan, and Trengganu.

ANGGEREK ANAK BULAN
PHALAENOPSIS VIOLACEA

Of the Phalaenopsis found in Malaysia this is one of the most attractive, despite the short inflorescence and the fact that only one or two flowers open at a time. The leaves are large, broad, glossy and dark green. The flower is pale green flushed with bright purple and the lip is dark purple. The flower is highly scented. This orchid has been used extensively for crossing purposes. It occurs on trees along rivers in Lower Perak, northern Selangor and to a large extent in Sarawak.

First Day Cover

Agro-Based Products of Malaysia

Agro-Based Products of Malaysia, Definitive Stamps - State Series

Date of Issue: 1986-10-25
Denominations: 1 cents, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 15 cents, 20 cents, 30 cents
Stamp Size: 27 mm x 32 mm
Paper: SPM watermarked, phosphor coated
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Sheet Composition: 100 stamps
Designer: Kathy Wong

Stamps in the Series:

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Malaysia is basically an agricultural country, well known as the world’s largest producer of rubber and palm oil. Together they occupy more than half of the country’s cultivated land and contributed a major share of the foreign exchange revenue. Beverages such as cocoa and coffee and spices such as pepper are grown successfully and also contribute significantly towards export earnings.

In terms of food production, rice is the major food crop.
Presently, rice the staple food in Malaysia is still being imported. Malaysia is striving to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice. Other food crops of importance produced locally are coconuts and groundnuts which are good sources of oil. Tapioca and sweet potatoes are also cultivated for their starch. Malaysia continues to import large quantities of maize and soya bean for human consumption as well as for animal feed. There is still a need and room for crop diversification in the country.


Coffee – Coffea liberica

The coffee is a lowland species which can be grown on a variety of soils from peat to clay and requires heavy rainfall and high temperature. The coffee shrub grows up to a height of 7 meters. It has large, dark green glossy leaves while the flowers are starlike, white in color and fragrant. Coffee fruits are oval in shape and streaked with red when ripe and turn black upon drying. Coffee starts bearing fruit in the third year.

Coconut – Cocos nucifera

The coconut is cultivated in the coastal sands of the tropics and requires a suitable temperature and a well-distributed rainfall. The coconut tree has a crown of leaves at its apex and grows up to a height of 30 meters. The coconut is usually ovoid in shape and is green, yellow or orange in color upon maturity. The varieties of coconut are classified on the basis of palm height, nut size, color and other endosperm features.

Cocoa – Theobroma cacao

Cocoa is a tropical crop which grows best in clay and sandy loams. The cocoa tree grows up to a height of 8 meters. It has large, dark green leaves. The fruits, commonly called pods, each containing between 35 – 45 seeds, are borne on the main stem of the tree and its fan branches. The young cocoa pods are cream, green or red in color and turn to red or purple upon ripening.

Pepper – Piper nigrum
Pepper is grown at low altitudes in hot wet tropical climates and requires a well-drained alluvial soil rich in humus. The pepper plant is a perennial woody climber with a ligneous stem which can grow up to a height of 10 meters. It has simple alternate leaves on both its climbing and fruiting branches. Its fruits are globose and the exocarp is green in color turning to red when ripe and black when dry.

Rubber – Hevea brasiliensis
The rubber tree grows well in a hot, humid climate with the temperature ranging from 22 degrees Celsius – 30 degrees Celsius. It grows to a height of about 25 meters under cultivation. The tree bears trifoliate leaves. Its fruits turn brown and woody at maturity. The woody trilobed capsules split open ripening releasing three large brown seeds. Latex which comes into production about 5 years after planting is obtained by tapping the bark of the tree.

Oil Palm – Elaeis guineensis
Oil palm requires adequate light and sufficient rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year. The oil palm grows up to a height of 20 meters. Its trunk is formed after three years and its apex is in the form of an inverted cone. Its leaves are produced in a spiral succession from the main stem. The fruit branches are borne in the axil of the lower leaves. The fruits are spherical to ovoid in shape and vary in color from an orange to a dark red.

Rice – Oryza sativa
Rice is normally found in the tropics. The rice plant can grow up to a height of 150 cm and has erect green culms which are smooth, cylindrical and up to 50 cm long with solid nodes and hollow internodes. Its leaves are alternate in two ranks with a single leaf at each node. The rice grain varies in size depending upon the variety. It takes about 30 days for the rice to ripen.

Hibiscus of Malaysia

Hibiscus of Malaysia

Date of Issue: 1984-12-12
Denominations: 10 cents, 20 cents, 40 cents and $1.00
Stamp Size: 27 mm x 30 mm
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Sheet Composition: 100 stamps

Stamps in the Series:

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Malaysia's National Flower, Bunga Raya is well known throughout the world as Hibiscus or shoeflower and is botanically referred to as the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It belongs to the same family of plants as the cotton and okra or bendir. Hibiscus is the largest genus consisting of some 300 species which are widely distributed mainly in the tropics.

The characteristic feature of the Hibiscus is that it is an evergreen shrub with leaves alternately arranged and with the presence of stipules. The flowers are often large and showy, bisexual and regular with parts usually in fives. The calyx is composed of five sepals, sometimes joined and is often subtended by an epicalyx. There are five large petals which are free. The stamens are joined together to form a column and the stype is branced terminating in five stigmatic lobes. The ovary is superior composed of five fused carpels with axile placentation.

Hibiscus as an ornamental plant is very popular with many gardeners comparable to that of roses, camellia, and azalea of the temperate regions. The flowers have a wide range of colors, white, pink, yellow and pink to dark red. Some of the varieties are double or multi-petalled. The flowers are very large, some hybrids measuring up to 25 cm in diameter. The flowers are scentless and do not last for more than a day or two. The Hibiscus bloom all year round, provided they are well looked after.

Besides being used as an ornamental plant and in hedges of home gardens. It provides a ready source of nectar for the birds, butterflies and other insects. Hibiscus can be used for beauty as well as medicinal value. The juice of the petals was once used as a dye to darken the eyebrows of oriental women. The juice can also be used to clean and polish black shoes, hence the name shoeflower. In the olden days the Malays used the roots of the Hibiscus to cure fever, sore eyes and other internal ailments.

Hibiscus was selected as the National Flower of Malaysia on 28th of July, 1960. It is an appropriate choice as the Hibiscus is a well known flower which is grown throughout Malaysia.

Trees of Malaysia

Date of Issue: 1981-12-16
Denominations: 15 cents, 50 cents, 80 cents
Stamp Size: 30 mm x 41 mm
Paper: Unwatermarked white, coated postage stamp paper
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Messrs. John Waddington of Kirkstall Ltd., Leeds, England
Designer: Encik Md. Yusof Bin Haji Saman

Stamps in this Series:

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The forests of Malaysia are of the tropical evergreen rain forest ecosystem. The background to the natural heritage of Malaysia and its great rain forests, which having evolved untouched over the past 130 million years, represent the oldest and richest forest as well as the most complex and diverse ecosystem the world has ever known. The flora and fauna in these forests are incredibly luxuriant, intricate and varied and provide fascinating subjects for postage stamps. There are about 8,000 species of flowering plants in Semenanjung Malaysia of which about 3,000 are trees. The trees are predominantly evergreen and some of the m grow to more than 60 m in height. There is no definite flowering season but there is a tendency for gregarious flowering once every 5 years.

About half of Malaysia is still covered with forests. Most of the forest types are dominated by trees of the Dipterocarp family which constitute about 70-80% of the exploited timber from these forests. Timbers known by the trade names Balau, Chengal, Kapur, Keruing, Meranti, all come from this family. Other dominant trees include Damar Minyak, Jelutong, Kempas, Merbau, Nyatoh, Sepetir, Tualang, etc. Tualang (Koompassia excelsa) is the third tallest tree in the world with a recorded height of 80m.

In addition to providing a major source of income from timber, these forests are also enriched with minor forest products like rattan, bamboo, dammars, medicinal plants as well as wild relatives of cultivated fruit trees.

15c denomination
English name: Rain Tree
Local name: Hujan-Hujan
Scientific name: Samanea Saman



The tree grows up to 25 m tall with widespread umbrella-shaped crown. The bark is fissured and chocolate colored whilst the trunk is slightly crooked. The leaves are 20-30 cm long, compound with 3-6 pairs of side stalks; 6-8 pairs of leaflets arise on each side stalk, which are small, (3x2 cm) and almost rhombic in shape.

Flowers which are pink in tassel-like heads are to be found in clusters from leaf axils with numerous stamens.

The fruit is long and straight, 15-25x1.5 cm, with many seeds which are separated by partitions; the seed measuring 1.5 cm long and is brown in color.

The Rain Tree was introduced to Peninsular Malaysia before 1876 and is now a common sight as a roadside shade tree throughout the country. Cross cuts of the tree are used as table tops due to the excellent growth rings they display.

50c denomination
Local name: Jelutong
Scientific name: Dyera Costulata



It is a magnificent huge cylindrical tree reaching over 60 m tall and 260 cm in diameter with dense domed crown. The bark is smooth or cracking; abundant white latex comes out from the cut bark, twigs and leaves. Leaves are arranged in circles around the coarsely ribbed twigs. The fruit has resemblance to a pair of horns. They split along one side when ripe. The flat seeds are surrounded by papery wings and are dispersed by wind. The timber is light hardwood excellent for toys, drawing boards, pencils, match splints, etc. The latex is used as a base for chewing gum.

Jelutong is found in the lowland and hill forests in most parts of Malaysia but nowhere abundant.

The trees shed their leaves after a long dry spell and remain bare for a few days before the new leaves appear. The flowers appear with the new leaves and the flowering period lasts for about 10 days. The fruits ripen in 2-3 months.

80c denomination
Local name : Kapur
Scientific name: Dryobalanops Aromatica
English name: Borneo Camphor Wood



It is one of the tallest trees of the Indo-Malayan tropics reaching up to 80 m in height. The bole is almost cylindrical with scaly or flaky bark.

Cut bark and crushed green leaves give a strong aromatic odor. The surface of the bark is often provided with hard resin. The trees have very fine conical crown when young. The leaves are small, oval in shape with close parallel veins.

Flowers are white and fragrant. The fruits have 5 long wings which help in the dispersal by wind.

The timber is a medium hardwood having a strong odor of Camphor when freshly cut. It is suitable for all classes of construction except when in contact with ground or water.

In Peninsular Malaysia, Kapur trees are confined to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia from Trengganu to Johore except for a patch of forest near Templer Park area in Selangor.