Best/largest orchid show to attend in the U.S.?

[Orchidreamer]

Thanks all, for the replies! Sorry I forgot to provide more details, I thought at least my location would show up under my username, but I guess not. I haven't been on here much lately.

Anyways, I live in Virginia and I grow mostly intermediate to warm growers. Can't do cool growers. I do mostly catts, dens, and phals. Hybrids and species alike, though I myself gravitating more towards species, and uncommon hybrids. I love getting cool new things from international vendors, things that I can't easily find anywhere around here.

It's too late for me to plan a trip to POE (or Tamiami) so I will go with Redland's this year. Personally I like the west coast more but in my case, seems more practical to go to FL.

One more question: how many days should I spend at Redland's? I know it's 3 days but due to my schedule I might only be able to visit for 1-2 days. I've done local shows like SEPOS and NCOS in 2 hrs to half a day.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by Orchidreamer

Thanks all, for the replies! Sorry I forgot to provide more details, I thought at least my location would show up under my username, but I guess not. I haven't been on here much lately.

Anyways, I live in Virginia and I grow mostly intermediate to warm growers. Can't do cool growers. I do mostly catts, dens, and phals. Hybrids and species alike, though I myself gravitating more towards species, and uncommon hybrids. I love getting cool new things from international vendors, things that I can't easily find anywhere around here.

It's too late for me to plan a trip to POE (or Tamiami) so I will go with Redland's this year. Personally I like the west coast more but in my case, seems more practical to go to FL.

One more question: how many days should I spend at Redland's? I know it's 3 days but due to my schedule I might only be able to visit for 1-2 days. I've done local shows like SEPOS and NCOS in 2 hrs to half a day.

That's up to you. I always go on Friday morning before the best orchids are bought up. The show is on a big piece of property and it requires quite a bit of walking. After a few hours I'm pretty worn out. Some people break it up into two days so they don't wear themselves out. I heard they get about 30,000 people over 3 days. You may want to have a plan also. Look at the list of vendors and think about which vendors you are most interested in visiting first. I have three or four vendors that I always go to first and then I start browsing the rest. The weather sometimes comes into play also. Three years ago we had huge thunderstorms on Saturday and several years have been very hot. Last year we had very nice weather so I hope we get another year like that.

[pipsxlch]

Once again, what Tucker said.

First off, Redland will be great for finding what you grow! I'd recommend looking at the various vendor's websites to figure out the 'MUST hits' to look for; if you see something super desirable on the website many of the vendors will do preorders.

Second, I do what Tucker does- try to hit as early as I can on Friday, before the cream has been sold off. IF I do a second day (I drive 5+ hours for this show; I've done it as a day trip going home that afternoon, and gone for the weekend staying at a motel) I go on Sunday, when there are some pretty good bargains to be had from vendors who don't want to have to pack the stuff up and take it back home. Guess those 2 days won't work for you, so I'd go Friday for best choices. If it must be a weekend day, right at opening on Saturday or wait till Sunday for the bargains.

How long it takes has been from, oh, about 3-4 hours on a fairly focused spin through thinking of the drive back home when I leave, to going with my sister (also has orchids) and staying over, so in no hurry and probably about 5-6 hours. There are food and drink vendors on site, and most pathways are pretty wide if you need a wheelchair (crowds are thick though). There's a plant babysitting location but this is a good show to bring a cart to.

Wear your summer clothes, even a sun hat, and keep yourself hydrated!

[jmrathbun]

Since you're so close, you don't want to miss Asheville's annual orchid festival this March 24 and 25 at the North Carolina Arboretum. They normally have exhibitors from all over the SE and numerous AOS awards. In 2016 they hosted the AOS national meeting and it was considered one of the best shows in the SE. There's lots more to do around here, being a premiere tourist destination. More at Asheville Orchid Festival