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first orchid show this weekend--advice??
Hi all--
I'll be going to my first orchid show in Dayton, Ohio this weekend. Any advice for a newbie (aside from having someone else hold the checkbook and charge cards that is)? Thanks in advance! Catherine |
take lots of pics :-)
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(1) Check the plants you buy carefully for scale and mealybugs. You get a lot of different vendors at shows.
(2) If you take pictures, take pictures of the name tags also so that you don't forget what they are when you are back home. |
Be sure the person holding the money also isn't in love with orchids, lol...
Cant wait to see pics! I agree with looking the plants over for bugs or any other signs of issues. This year, I brought home three that had bugs so I immediately repotted and sprayed. Last year, I bought one against my better judgement that had some issues with the leaves to later find out it was virused. Just keep all new plants away from the others in your collection until you are sure they are free of anything you don't spreading to all. |
Ask lots of questions and take lots of pictures.
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BUY THEM ALL!!
Oh wait... that is not what you want to hear. LOL Enjoy yourself. The orchid show in Jacksonville is in March and I can't wait! |
Bring someone to help you carry them! Also, make a list of ones you hope to find. Sometimes, it is a little overwhelming to see so many different types of orchids for sale. Orchid shows are quite a bit of fun! The 'biggest in Ohio' is supposed to be the West Shore Orchid Society in Cleveland, March 9/10--I don't know if it actually is but it is a nice one. Have fun!
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Follow the advice already given and... If you can get a list of sellers who will be attending. Ask on here which ones are known to give good advice. Then ask them to help you choose something off their stall.
Be aware that what you see on their website might not be what they have on the day: you might want to ask if they can bring anything on the website that you HAVE to have. Or just wander round in a daze randomly buying what takes your fancy and end up with some great buys and some terrible ones. Which is what I did my first show! |
LOL... I still end up with some great buys, and a few poor ones...
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The above advice is great! Ask questions, and try new things if you find them interesting and think you may be able to provide what they need. Bring money, and give yourself a budget BEFORE you get there. :) I usually don't come close to maxing out my budget, but that's mainly because money and space constraints cause me to have to be super choosey. It's a good thing because I don't end up with a ton of orchids I kind of like, but only have things that I really love for one reason or another. Have fun!
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BRING LOTS OF MONEY! And then bring a few bucks more! Buy everything in sight!!
Lol, just kidding :P Definitely give yourself a budget and try hard to stick to it! Make sure you inspect the plants before buying, especially if it's from a member's sale table! Look through all the plants you can, often times there are some really special things tucked in amongst the common showy phals, catts, and the ever popular oncidiums! |
Thank you all for the advice! I have been reading up and researching, but it helps to get input from the pros! I'll see if I can get a vendor/seller/attendee list and post it later today.
Although I think I may be in trouble: I'm attending with a dear friend who is also an orchid newbie (and we know from past experience we tend to "encourage" each other in our purchases--we've done this sort of thing at aquarium club shows for years), neither of us have husbands in the picture to say "you're buying WHAT?!," and we are bringing my teenage daugher along to be our "beast of burden" so we can keep our hands free for more shopping.... It sounds like the same sort of experience we have had at club aquarium shows: lots of neat and rare stuff we're not going to find elsewhere, some bargains, and a bit of caveat emptor....I can't wait! |
One more idea-- bring a box to make it easy to carry them all. This also keeps them from broken. Some vendors do have boxes on hand while others just put them in plastic bags...not ideal.
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Leave the credit cards at home, set a budget and bring just that much cash.
Do I follow my own advise? Not a chance! |
LOL... Connie!!! You crack me up!
Loads of advice for you! Hope its not overwhelming. Just relax and enjoy, but try to keep a level head and ask appropriate questions regarding size and culture, and use your best judgement. It's hard sometimes, but its also quite exciting and fun! Please let us know what you get! |
One more suggestion; bring something to wipe the drool off your face! You will also enjoy some amazing display and you will want everything! Have fun!
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Takes lots of pictures of the orchids there and the ones you bring home, its only money :rofl:
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(Covering laugh)
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OK, let's see if I've got this right.
1: Arrive at show, hand checkbbok to friend to keep from overspending (but friend is also an orchidaholic who has been known to say "what's one more") 2: Look at orchids, take lots of pictures. Try not to squeal "Oooh, I want that one" over every orchid present. 3: Purchase orchids, sticking to predetermined list and budget (yeah right) after carefully checking for bug/disease issues and (hopefully) asking good care questions. 4: Have cranky teenage child carry purchases (preferably boxed). When teenage child whines about hating plants/orchids/or this outing, remind said teenager of the debt she is working off after wrecking her car in December. 5: Realize there's probably not enough room on the existing plant shelves, stop for additional shelving/light fixtures on the ride home, further incensing the cranky teenager who wants to get home early to see her boyfriend. 6: Upon arriving home, stay up far later than planned assembling shelves and lighting and making sure that the "new babies" are all tucked in. 7: Pull an all nighter to post pictures of the show and send them to all and sundry whether they're interested or not. Anything I missed (grin)?? Seriously, love the sense of humor and fun on this site, and the advice you've given has already helped a ton! Catherine |
Sounds great
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Don't forget lunch or at least a snack or 2
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Lunch or a snack?? But that money could be spent on orchids!
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A few holes to poke in that plan...
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ROFL... I think that about sums up the experience!!! Good job! Glad we didn't overwhelm you!
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Thanks for the revisions--I'll keep them in mind (grin)....
Pity I won't be able to make the Cleveland show March 9/10--gotta work to pay for my orchid habit... |
ditto much of the above but for me the best advice is to only buy orchids that would suit your growing conditions. Ask the vendors if unsure. Tell them about your grow area and lighting/temps and ask for tips.
Most Miltoniopsis have fantastic, fragrant and huge flowers - but are very finicky regarding max temperatures they can do well at. A newbie should keep away from species phals too as they are also finicky in general. But you can also have a what the heck attitude and buy all those you like and sort out cultural requirements later :biggrin: |
First orchid show eh? In additon to the great advice given before, just soak in the displays and have fun. You will overspend for sure. I'm yet to meet anyone who sticks to the plan.
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An orchid show is much more than a vendor gathering. First, look through the exhibits carefully. Displays are done by vendors (because most shows require it), individuals (sometimes), and by nearby orchid societies including the host society.
The orchid society displays are usually the most elaborate and include the best specimens and diversity. They represent the best results of nearby growers. You can usually learn a lot if you can meet some of the growers who have plants in the display. You'll usually see someone nearby if you pay attention. They are ones not circulating like the spectators. A show is a good place to buy plants from good vendors, but it's also an excellent place to learn from accomplished growers willing to share their experience with newcomers. It is also a great place to establish a relationship with one of the displaying societies. This knowledge and society connection is a much more important step to increasing your orchid involvement than just buying plants and going home. You should be able to easily spend 4 hours at the show with only 1-1.5 hours spent buying plants and the rest learning about orchids. Look for the Greater Cincinnati Orchid Society exhibit. It's always a great one. |
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Don't tempt me--love her dearly, but there are days.... Thanks to all for the advice to talk with hobbyists and clubs--I had planned on doing that as well (are there guest speakers at these things as there are at aquarium club shows??)--it seems like I can learn more practical stuff in 5 minutes from someone who's experienced than I can in hours of reading.... |
Great advice above :)
I find that getting there early can be helpful as vendors have more time to chat when it's quieter at the beginning of a show. |
Orchid Society memberships are usually around $50/year. Bring extra money for that, and make sure to go to the regular meetings. It's a great way to learn about orchids and establish relationships with local vendors.
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As for speakers, it truly depends. Ours does my have a speaker because the event coincides with the Missouri Botanical Gardens Orchid Show. We just simply don't have the space to do that, but it really depends upon each society and what they are able/willing to do/afford.
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Our orchid society charges $20 and you get a free orchid for joining at the show, then, at Christmas, another free orchid. Two orchids for $20. The only other money you spend is buying orchids when they just happen to appear. :)
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LOL, ours has a raffle for orchids at most meetings. Sometimes there are so many that everyone walks away with one, lol... Then of course there are speakers who are also vendors that come in and sell their goods in addition. Good times, but dangerous financially!
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All great ideas but I would like to add two more:
1) Always get the name and contact information for any vendor from whom you buy a plant in case you want or need to contact them for any reason. 2) Do not shop the "right hand side of the menu".The most expensive plants may not be the best or the best for you and your conditions. Mainly, just have fun and enjoy the experience! CL |
I have nothing in bloom! The last of my Dryadella bloom has faded.
I wasn't planning on going to POE next week but now I'm waffling. :hmm Maybe I won't find parking. What damage there is to my wallet, I blame on this thread and the rest of OB. For other big shows, what is a typical entrance fee? I find this one to be exorbitant at $15 (not including parking, though the lot is probably the cheapest in SF) where as the other two local shows (GG Park and San Jose) are $4 (IIRC) and free, respectively. |
Orchid shows are how societies generate operating funds for the year. $15 is reasonable. If you don't want to pay an entry fee, you can join the Society and volunteer for the show. I've done both, and it's a fair system.
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OK. In perspective now. I wasn't thinking about the society but as a huge retail event.
I suspect a big chunk of the fee goes toward the cost of venue. |
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