The Gesneriad Society, Inc.

08/06/2026

The photos of all the award winners at the Chicagoland Convention are now available to view. We hope you enjoy them.

2026 Blue Ribbon and Special Awards Entries Photos courtesy of Winston Goretsky, Mel Grice, Dale Martens, and Ron Myhr AllDivision AwardSection AwardSpecial Award Sinningia speciosa species ‘Pedra Lisa’ exhibited by Dave Zaitlin Sinningia speciosa species ‘Pedra Lisa’ exhibited by Dave Zaitl...

07/07/2026

This spectacular pair of gesneriad earrings was entered by Nathan Mamere. The entry received both Best in Arts and Crafts and Best in the Arts awards. This was Nathan's first convention and show.

07/05/2026

Saturday was the last day of the convention. There was the annual auction lunch, a walk down memory lane, a closing social, and fireworks viewing.

07/04/2026

Elvin McDonald, founder of the Gesneriad Society when he was a 17 year old teenager in Oklahoma, was honored at the 75th Anniversary Dinner with a new sinningia hybrid, Sinningia 'Elvin's Diamond Jubilee' by Dale Martens and a special gift presented to him by President Winston Goretsky. Elvin spoke about his serendipitous connection with the late Gene Shalit.

07/04/2026

Friday's activities included student presentations, a special dinner celebrating The Gesneriad Society, Inc.'s 75th Anniversary and a presentation highlighting the Society's future.

07/04/2026

Best in Horticulture and Best Primulina - Primulina 'Rachel' - Gary Mikita.

07/04/2026

Runner up to Best in Horticulture - Streptocarpus 'Dale's Monkey Business' - Dale Martens. Also won for: Best New Cultivar, Best in Section F (new gesneriads), Best Streptocarpus, and Best Dale Martens cultivar.

07/04/2026

Additional photos of blue ribbon winners in the hort division.

07/04/2026

Photos from the convention flower show in the horticulture division.