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

[Orchidreamer]

I've been growing orchids since 2003 and have only been to local shows, which were nice, but I've always wanted to attend a huge show. The more orchids and exhibits, the better. I don't know if some shows got worse, or if others got better, over the years. What's the best, largest show to attend in the U.S.? I can go anywhere within the country, willing to fly out just for the show, but it'll better be worth it.

The only ones I can think of off the top of my orchid is Redland or Santa Barbara. I'm looking for a good selection of orchid displays as well as vendors to buy orchids from.

[My Green Pets]

There was a show in Miami in January, Tamiami or something? Pretty big.

[Leafmite]

To be honest, I really don't know. Members of our OS travel down to Redlands and then attend the regional Conference. I think there are international conferences, too (HUGE SHOWS) in places like Singapore, Australia and Taiwan (it rotates).

The largest show in Ohio is the West Shore Orchid Society show in Strongsville Ohio but it is pretty small compared to what some of the other states offer.

I would think that the largest shows, with the most international vendors, would be in areas where orchids can be grown outside...Hawaii, Florida and Southern California.

[estación seca]

I have read and been told that the Pacific Orchid Expo is now the largest US orchid show.

[isurus79]

I think Redlands and Tamiami are your best bet. I understand the Pacific Orchid Expo is cool, but you'll want to buy more at the two previous events I mentioned.

[fishmom]

Timing might matter too. The Pacific Orchid Expo is coming up next weekend. You can go to their website and see a list of vendors. There are quite a few Asian vendors, and over 50 in all.

I always enjoy the displays by vendors and clubs, which are terrific. However I have not been to another big show, so I'm not comparing. There are many good demos and tons of plants to buy.

SFOS

[AnonYMouse]

Probably, the big name vendors are at all the big shows (Andy's, Ten Shin, Ecuagenera, OLSO) so you might consider other factors.

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate doesn't do shows except their own. I don't think any of the big names in Florida come to POE (San Francisco) nor the midwest growers (Hausermanns, Orchids Limited). But POE gets Hengduan Mountains, Peruflora, Seed Engei, SVO, Carmela, H&R to name a few.

So it depends on what you want and how you want to spend your non-show time.

[tucker85]

It kind of depends on what you're looking for. We have some big shows here in South Florida, including the Ft. Lauderdale Orchid Show, the Tamiami Orchid Show and the Redlands Orchid Festival. These shows are geared towards South Florida growers who grow warm growing orchids outdoors. Mostly cattleyas, vandas, dendrobriums, oncidiums, etc.. If you're interested in cool growing orchids like cymbidiums and paphs, you may want to go to one of the west shows.
The Redlands Orchid Festival is one of the biggest in this area. This year it's May 13-15. It's an outdoor show and features growers from all over the U.S. as well as many growers from South America, Hawaii and Taiwan. There's an AOS judging area as well as a long list of classes and presentations.

[pipsxlch]

I think Tucker hit the nail on the head. What are your growing conditions/where are you/what do you grow? That should ultimately decide where you go, though probably a little bit of anything can be found at all the biggest shows.

I've been to Tamiami and Redland; both are HUGE and worth the trip (okay, Redland is a bit larger), and though I haven't been yet myself I've been told Ft. Lauderdale is comparable to Tamiami- and they happen very close to one another, so if you can get a few week long vacation you may be able to do both. Weather in January (Tamiami) will be cooler and perhaps more pleasant for cool climate folks; plus Tamiami is indoors where Redland is all outside. There are plenty of nurseries in the area to visit, something promoted at Redland (several are very close to the showgrounds there). Not all Tamiami vendors go to Redlands and vice versa.

I looked up the vendor list for POE; it looks a bit smaller than Redland's. There is some overlap in vendors, but not lots. (one vendor at POE-Pahpiness Orchids- LOL! great name!) Can't say if maybe they have more/better exhibits; Redland doesn't have many (almost all vendors), Tamiami a bit more.

The giant World Orchid Congress show has happened in the US before; maybe we'll be coming back up in rotation?

Maybe you can flip a coin and do East Coast one year, West another, see for yourself which you prefer? And like was said, which area would you prefer to visit? Family or friends near one?

[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.