Orchid Shows

Orchid Shows.

If you've been reading books on orchids, or reading on-line, you will sooner or later come across mention of orchid shows. Some of these are local, put on by a local society, some are national shows, and some are world-renowned.

Given that there is one in your area, I highly suggest that you go, especially as a new orchid grower.

I am in Connecticut, and the Connecticut Orchid Society puts on a small show each March. We have displays from several local societies, Amherst, Central Mass, and the Ocean State Society, as well as our own. These plants are owned by society members, and each display will include anywhere from 20 to 200 plants, carefully labeled and arranged.

In addition, every show invites commercial orchid growers to come. Each vendor will also create a display, and they have plants and supplies to sell. Our show being small, we had 5 plant vendors last year, and one vendor specializing in supplies such as potting mix, labels, flower supports, and other interesting items.

Here is an opportunity to see hundreds of plants, in bloom. You also have society members ogling each others plants, and craning their necks to see if their own contribution has won any ribbons. You can look and see what you like with your own eyes, rather than just flat photographs.

You can smell the delicious, wonderfully fragrant frilly Cattleyas, sniff the intoxicating Maxillaria tenifolia, and note down that no matter how attractive a Bulbophyllum something is...it has a stink that you'd prefer not to bring home.

In addition to looking at plants, most societies also offer talks at the show on orchid repotting, disease and insect combat, and perhaps travel talks from one of the members. You can also get information on the local societies, and meet some of the members in a very relaxed forum.

All you have to do is say, "I'm new. What is that!?" and it is likely that the person standing next to you at the display will share his experience at growing, blooming, or killing the type of plant in front of both of you.

You will find growers at many levels of expertise, from the world-renowned breeder of hybrid green Cattleyas, to someone with 20 plants on a windowsill in her living room who is contemplating adding a light system and expanding the collection. It often seems that orchid growers are truly passionate about the hobby and willing to be friendly to anyone who expresses even the merest hint of interest.

In addition to local shows, there are larger shows on both sides of the country. I had the experience 2 years ago of going to the show in New York City. I went on a tour bus with the Amherst Orchid Society.
We arrived on Saturday morning to a crush of people, displays, vendors, classes on everything from beginning orchid growing to trends in hybridization. To say that I was overwhelmed was an understatement, but I had a wonderful time looking at the displays, writing down the names of interesting plants, and browsing the booths of over 40 vendors.

I saw varieties of some of my favorite plants that I had never dreamed could come in those colors..and available species of plants, brought in by international vendors, that usually are not available locally.

So if there is an orchid show in your area - by all means.Go!