What to expect at orchid shows?

[astrid]

Hey everyone!

I am planning to attend several orchid shows here in Portland in the very near future! One is in February at a Home and Garden convention on the 19th-22nd, then in April I think we have the Oregon Orchid Society show, and in May is the AOS show.

I don't know what to expect!!
Will there just be a gazillion rare and unusual orchids for me to drool over?
How are they priced usually? Will I find good deals, or will I have to pay a premium?
Will people know how to grow things in my climate (I suppose at the first two shows, that is more likely)?

Will I need to be put on a dang leash and have my wallet under lock and key so I don't go wild and bankrupt in one afternoon?

Additionally, I'm 24- do you think people my age will be there? My German neighbor always says that orchids are for "cute little grandmas" so I wonder if I'll be the odd one out. My dad is 83, so I've been surrounded with olds my entire life but I always like to see a few people in my age range!!

Please tell me what your experiences have been like. I am SO anxious and dreaming of all the pretty plants I will see!

[Bulbofett]

My bf always asks me if I'm going to my AARP meetings whenever I go to orchid related events so don't expect too many young people to be there. Portland is a hipster kinda place though, so I could be wrong.

Experience differs from show to show so you really just have to experience one for yourself. Depending on who the vendors are will determine if there are any unusual orchids. I wouldn't say you're likely to find any rare ones though.

Vendors tend to bring what they know will sell. So, A LOT of them bring plants in bloom. This time of year it is the Den. nobiles coming into bloom, so expect a lot of those.

If you're looking for a score your best bet is to preorder. Some shows have seedling deals too, which I've found great value in. I don't feel like I'm getting a good deal buying any of the regular sized plants though. They're all pretty much the price they would be if you bought them online. Only difference is you save on shipping.

Best place I've found to get dirt cheap plants is at the monthly raffles my orchid society holds.

Have Fun at your first show!

[katrina]

I've been to a LOT of shows and there is no one answer for any of those questions. I've seen young and old people at shows and I've seen very common as well as not so common orchids at shows. I have purchased many of my "oddballs" that are not often seen AT the shows I've attended over the years. I especially love the large shows that have vendors from outside the US.

If you start attending shows on a regular basis you will likely start to see a trend in what you can expect w/in each "market".

As for the leash and wallet issues...it depends on how impulsive you are. I have gotten better but in the past I was plagued w/a serious case of impulsive orchid buying. I simply couldn't trust myself...so I started taking only cash to the shows. I would assign myself a budget...take just that much cash...leaving all plastic at home...and when it was gone - it was gone. Doing it this way forced me to think about my purchases rather than running from vendor to vendor and just buying up everything that looked interesting. Of course, the fact that I have zero space for new orchids has helped curb the desire to buy everything but initially the cash plan really did do the trick to keep my spending in check.

Have fun!

[jacqi]

We just had our club show and lots of people came. I saw all age groups. I have a few suggestions about show attendance. 1. For the best selection go when the show first opens. 2. Talk to the dealers about the care needs of the plants and develop a business relationship with them.3. If you are looking for something particular take a list and ask the vendors if they have it. The Vendors don't bring what they don't think will sell at that show. May are willing to let you know what they have at home and are willing to ship. 3. Look the plants of a vendor over and I mean all the plants -it will give you an idea of the quality of his merchandise. 4. If you find a plant you want look it over carefully! I can not stress this enough. Look for bugs, good root growth and healthy leaf growth. 5. Have fun talk to the Vendors and others attending its a great way to meet other enthusiasts!

[Leafmite]

At my first orchid show, I was a little overwhelmed. So many orchids, so many vendors and, yes, we have vendors that attend the area shows that sell unique orchids, too.
For the first show, it does not hurt to find out what vendors will be there and scan their websites to try to get an idea of what their specialty is, what they are breeding and getting awarded. Usually, those orchids will be of better quality since these are the ones they are raising themselves and not just importing. You can even pre-order orchids and have the vendors bring them to the show for you.
If you cannot tell from their website what they are into, look for their display that they have for judging. At the shows I attend, I can usually tell what vendor has what display without even looking, just due to what orchids they have in the display.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by astrid

Will there just be a gazillion rare and unusual orchids for me to drool over?

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

Experience differs from show to show so you really just have to experience one for yourself. Depending on who the vendors are will determine if there are any unusual orchids. I wouldn't say you're likely to find any rare ones though.

Vendors tend to bring what they know will sell. So, A LOT of them bring plants in bloom.

Bulbofett answered this well. IME, the offerings can also vary from year to year.

I would say, however, that IME most vendors bring almost exclusively plants that are in bud or bloom. People willing to buy non-blooming/budded plants are very much a minority (mainly experienced orchid-nuts).

If there is a truly rare plant you are seeking, then you are best off checking the show's website to see which vendors will be there. Then go to the vendor's site to see if they have a particular plant you want. If they do, then ask them to bring it to the show with them. This will enable you to inspect the plant before handing over the $ as well as avoid paying shipping.

Originally Posted by astrid

How are they priced usually? Will I find good deals, or will I have to pay a premium?

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

If you're looking for a score your best bet is to preorder. Some shows have seedling deals too, which I've found great value in. I don't feel like I'm getting a good deal buying any of the regular sized plants though. They're all pretty much the price they would be if you bought them online. Only difference is you save on shipping.

I disagree somewhat with Bf here .... personally, I think saving on shipping IS a getting a deal. Often shipping is equivalent to the price for another orchid or two.

Some vendors will cut a few dollars off a purchase if you are getting several chids from them or if it is at the very tail end of the show. However, don't count on them doing so nor get mad at them if they refuse. (I have seen on more than one occasion, would-be buyers get their gutchies up-in-a-bunch because a vendor would not discount their wares.)

Beyond that, prices will obviously be affected by the plants themselves. Common, easily grown plants like phals will be cheaper than rarer paph. Do be ready for the fact that even phal prices might be more expensive than at a BBS. This may reflect the added expenses growers face (heating, lighting, etc.) which the BBSs -- who just get the plants shipped in and then apply the bare minimum of care -- don't have to deal with. Also you are likely to see phals that a BBS simply will not carry (especially true with species). If the venue is particularly expensive with regards to how much it charges the vendors per table, the vendors may be forced to tack that expense onto their merchandise. Generally, I find the plants offered at shows to be in far better condition than those at a BBS.

Originally Posted by astrid

Will people know how to grow things in my climate (I suppose at the first two shows, that is more likely)?

That will depend on whom you talk to.
If the vendors are from your area, then they should have a good idea of what can and can't easily be grown in your clime.
Your better option, IMO, is to find a local OS member to talk to. They would likely have a very good idea and even if they don't personally grow the type of orchid(s) you are contemplating, they likely will know of another OS member who does.

HOWEVER, as always ,take any advice with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that vendors will likely be growing in a greenhouse and even local OS members may have conditions far different than your own.

Originally Posted by astrid

Will I need to be put on a dang leash and have my wallet under lock and key so I don't go wild and bankrupt in one afternoon?

Originally Posted by katrina

As for the leash and wallet issues...it depends on how impulsive you are. ...so I started taking only cash to the shows. I would assign myself a budget...take just that much cash...leaving all plastic at home...and when it was gone - it was gone. Doing it this way forced me to think about my purchases rather than running from vendor to vendor and just buying up everything that looked interesting.

Katrina said it all. Know thyself and plan accordingly.

Originally Posted by astrid

Additionally, I'm 24- do you think people my age will be there?

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

...so don't expect too many young people to be there. Portland is a hipster kinda place though, so I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by katrina

I've seen young and old people at shows and I've seen very common as well as not so common orchids at shows.

As you can see by the above responses -- it can vary. In part, it will depend upon how orchids (and plant growing) is perceived in your area.

IME, there is usually quite an age range of people at the shows. Yes, a lot of older folks -- 50yrs+, but still far more than "just a couple" people younger than that. I have seen young married couples with their children (like Nikki and her husband), folks in their 30s-40, and even teenagers (though that group tends to be a minority).

Originally Posted by jacqi

I have a few suggestions about show attendance. 1. For the best selection go when the show first opens. 2. Talk to the dealers about the care needs of the plants and develop a business relationship with them.3. If you are looking for something particular take a list and ask the vendors if they have it. The Vendors don't bring what they don't think will sell at that show. May are willing to let you know what they have at home and are willing to ship. 3. Look the plants of a vendor over and I mean all the plants -it will give you an idea of the quality of his merchandise. 4. If you find a plant you want look it over carefully! I can not stress this enough. Look for bugs, good root growth and healthy leaf growth. 5. Have fun talk to the Vendors and others attending its a great way to meet other enthusiasts!

Good advice from Jacqi.

If you haven't been to a show before, this thread may be worth revisiting:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...nd-advice.html


Before attending any shows, I would advise you to do an inventory check of your supplies -- media, pots, et cetera. Some shows will have a vendor or two who will, in addition to plants, carry orchid supplies. Your supply options will be far better than at a BBS. Again, getting such at a show would save you shipping costs.

[Leafmite]

I agree with attending the shows early to get the best selection. The really good stuff goes fast.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I agree with attending the shows early to get the best selection. The really good stuff goes fast.

LOL That's actually a good reason to go help with set up if you are a member of an OS. Many folks would be amazed at how many choice selections disappear before the show even opens to the public!

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Paul

Many folks would be amazed at how many choice selections disappear before the show even opens to the public!

Ooooooh yeaaaaaaaaaaah! I have acquired some of my most interesting plants by helping w/set up the day before.

[NYCorchidman]

I just came back from the second show of the year in my area.

As has been mentioned, most people at the show will be older although you will also see some younger people. In general, older.

You will see lots of orchids, both common and not so common, both in bloom and out of bloom, and seedlings and mature plants.

I recommend to go the very first day and the very first hour the show opens to get nice plants you want.
As mentioned, many nice plants are already sold the day before the show opens because local society members and others who are involved with the show set up get to shop first.
So I recommend attending the show at an earliest time possible. Then once you are in there, go straight to the vendors. You can always look at beautiful show display and take pictures of them.
Go through all the vendors and scan what they have and compare prices.
Then make a purchase, and then enjoy the display and perhaps some photos.

Last, regarding orchid culture.
What vendors say apply to their growing conditions, greenhouse.
You can still get some idea from their advice for the plants you are not familiar, but you will still have to figure out how to grow them in your own conditions.

I'll add a few more words.
If you can't make it the earliest, then perhaps the last day is sometimes worth it especially if there are going to be any international vendors.
These guys do not want to take home any "leftovers" and will get rid of the plant at a bargain sometimes.
Bring a friend and buy a few plants rather than one or two to get some decent discount.

Also, the price is vastly different.
Some vendors charge less and others more.
I just bought a giant sized neostylis Pink Starry Night in bloom for just $25!
The one I already have is about one third the size and I bought it without flowers three years ago for $30!
So do the comparison shopping.