Tell me about orchid shows!

[Idril]

Maybe it's a bit early to think about it because I just got into the hobby a month ago but I'm really interested in learning more about orchid shows. I used to show dogs so when I heard about orchid shows I got really excited lol.

My question really is how hard and expensive it is to have a show quality orchid? With dogs it's a lot of time and money, you have to buy an expensive dog from a good bloodline, train it and depending on the breed you might have to spend a lot on grooming too. I'm guessing it's the same with orchids.

If I wanted to grow one for show where would I buy one? Or doesn't matter as long as it has an ID? How do you prove that your plant is really that hybrid or species? Do they have some sort of a pedigree?

Would I need an expensive setup, like a greenhouse, special lights etc?

Do I need fancy potting medium, fertilizer etc?

I'm general, how affordable is this for the average person?

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello Idril,

Congratulations on the new hobby.*

Orchid shows (or at least the half a dozen or so I have been to) typically fall into one of two categories: judging events (I have never been to one of these so I can't speak to them) and shows.
Orchid shows are mostly an assemblage of many, many vendors you can buy from.


Shows are incredibly fun because you never know what interesting plants of the hundreds assembled in one area you will find. Some of my favorite plants in my collection have been purchased during shows. Additionally, you can save on shipping costs by buying orchids at shows.

Orchid shows also usually have a show table of either prize-winning orchids if a judging event was included in the show or, they may instead have a table of orchids that the members of the local orchid society have brought. Typically, shows are hosted by the local orchid society for that area.

All in all, shows in my experience are more of a shopping experience than anything else.

I will let someone else answer about growing show-quality orchids because that is not my expertise but to my knowledge, one just needs to have a very healthy (damage-free), perfectly-identified blooming orchid. Here is a link to an American Orchid Society article on the subject.

http://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Content...OS-Judging.pdf


PS: Orchid Auctions are the best

[Roberta]

For me, it's all about the shopping. Prices are typically lower than what you'd get if you order online, if for no other reason than you aren't paying shipping. Also, there's competition. And you can see what you are getting. By attending shows at different times of the year when different things are blooming (certainly all aren't in bloom, but many are) I now always have something in bloom, since they tend to bloom at around the same time every year. And also you can ask questions - if the vendor is also a grower, they can tell you about the conditions for a given plant. (If they are vague, they may just be retailers... choose a different vendor)

It's best if the show is close enough to drive - then you can bring home whatever you can carry (and afford) If you have to go by plane, bring packing materials, and plan to put in carry-on bag (and then you do have to worry about size...)

The more you can learn about orchids while you're waiting for a nearby show, the better.(Join an orchid club if you can) I still recall my first show, about 25 years ago. I was so blown away by the beauty and variety that I didn't buy anything. That is the last time THAT happened.

[fishmom]

Regarding showing and judging orchids, I suggest you join an orchid society. Most of them will have a "show and tell" time when members bring blooming orchids to show off. Members who are knowledgeable (or even judges themselves) will comment on the plants. There is plenty of opportunity to ask questions.


Join the American Orchid Society too. There you will find pictures of awarded plants, to become familiar with what top quality plants look like.


At many shows where there are vendors, there is also a judging component. You will see the winning plants on display with their ribbons, and maybe have a chance to talk to judges. It is all great fun!

[Roberta]

Another benefit of a local orchid club - you will meet others who have the same growing conditions as you do, and orchid people love to share information, tips, and tricks. Often, there are plants that are raffled off and if so, that's a great way to start (and add to) your collection for very modest money.

[Ray]

We used to do dog shows (Irish Setters), and its very similar with orchids, although you have to be careful not to break the flower spikes when you prance around the ring.

Just kidding... About the only similarity is that the plants are still judged to a standard. That standard, however, is not a static one for the breed, but is the standard set by all of the same or similar "breeds", ever.

For example, if yours is the best setter in a show, he will win best of breed, but even if your orchid species or hybrid is the only one entered for judging, unless it shows something outstanding that makes the judging team feel it's worth investigating for a possible award, they won't bother.

In order to win awards with your plants, you must give them the best growing conditions and overall cultural parameters so that they grow and bloom to their genetic potential, and you must prevent disease and insect damage. Are special potting media and greenhouses necessary? Absolutely not, but they certainly make it easier to provide the perfect culture.

[Idril]

Thank you for the answers, it's very interesting
. I'm going to try to visit the next show in my area.

[Mountaineer370]

Ditto to the advice to find an orchid society near you and become a member. Attend the meetings, meet people, ask questions. You will learn a lot and have fun mingling with like-minded orchid lovers. You can go to the American Orchid Society's site (aos.org) and find a link to local societies. Or, if you want to tell us where you live (general location only) or put your location in your profile, some members here may be able to steer you to a group.

As already mentioned, most orchid shows in the US have both a display section and a vendor (sales) section. If you are a member of a society, your society will probably be putting on displays at local shows, and the orchids in the displays come from their members. These displays are judged, and you could win a ribbon. There are also separate orchid judging events that are not actual "shows," though I've never attended one of those so I can't help there. A list of upcoming orchid shows in your area can also be found at aos.org.

Finally, as someone who used to show dogs myself (and horses), I can promise you that, as long as you are just doing it as a hobbyist and not looking to make a living growing and selling orchids, showing orchids is waaaay less expensive that showing dogs.

[Leafmite]

If you join an orchid society, they often need volunteers to clerk during the show. Clerks help the judges (i.e. putting ribbons on the orchids that win a prize). You can listen to the judges discussing the attributes of an orchid and learn quite a bit about the orchids and how they are judged.

You can enter any orchid in an orchid show as long as you follow the guidelines (which is usually looking up the category, filling out a little form, and making certain that the entry is done by the deadline, then the flower is delivered during the window of time allotted.). You may not get an AOS prize but you might get ribbons or other awards. The orchid doesn't need to be expensive. If the blooms follow the judging criteria the best, it will win.

If you are aiming for an AOS prize for the perfect flower, you might want to buy a flask or group of young orchids that are not cloned and come from a grower who is very experienced with doing crosses (Sunset Valley Orchids, Exotic Orchids of Maui, Al's Orchid Greenhouse (he dabbled in Phals for a while), New Vision Orchids, Gold Country Orchids, perhaps a local enthusiast/vendor (these are often found by belonging to an orchid society). Hausermann's still does a few, too (many of their Cattleyas of the past are pretty big in the orchid world)). The vendor you choose will depend on what orchids you want to grow and show. Those that are busy making unique orchid crosses often have a specialty or two where they concentrate their talents.

There are also awards for having the most blooms on an orchid (specimen plants). Yes, you can buy a nice specimen plant but much of the fun is growing the orchid for many years.

Like dogs, you buy the orchid when it is young after carefully choosing it for its breeding, grow and train it (with stakes and wiring, oftentimes), then, when it is ready, take it either to a show for judging or a judging center.

Good luck!

[Idril]

Thank you for the answers!