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The Orchid Etiquette Advisory
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By Rick Barry at 2007-02-04 21:16
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f you are interested in viewing and perhaps purchasing superior plants of any orchid genus, particularly the best clones, you must look to private collections and beyond the 'Employees Only' signs at commercial growers. Some of the best clones ever produced are in the possession of hobbyists and commercial breeders and are not offered in the retail market. The sales of such high-end plants are usually conducted privately. Most often the exchange takes place directly with a breeder or collector who may offer a division of one of his breeding plants or perhaps some other select plants that will never become generally available. Access to view or purchase such plants is usually granted only by arrangement with the owner.
True orchid connoisseurs differ in substantial ways from typical hobbyists. While the average hobbyist may on occasion receive an AOS award for one of his plants, the true connoisseur expects to receive awards on a regular basis. Such awarded plants become the basis for one's reputation as a grower, and perhaps as a breeder. Some of these plants come at considerable expense, depending upon the rarity of the plant, the specific awards it has received, and its potential as a stud plant. The owner of an exceptional plant holds the same sort of regard for it that an art collector might for a Van Gogh or a Matisse. Like fine art, some orchid plants, the rarest and most valuable of all, disappear into the private collections of wealthy collectors, never to be seen in public. Other select plants are confined to the breeding bench, where they remain in bloom only long enough to be pollinated to produce the next generation of seedlings. The opportunity to view (and possibly even purchase) such plants is not granted lightly, and should always be viewed as a rare opportunity, as well as an honor.
***
Should one receive special access to plants unavailable to the general public, one must abide by some rules of behavior which are frequently overlooked in common practice.
Keep in mind at all times that you are a visitor. Watch your manners. Try to be as self-effacing as possible. You may consider yourself knowledgeable about orchids (as no doubt you've really learned a lot in the last 6 months), but your host may rightfully feels he knows more. After all, if you had any reputation in orchid culture he'd already have known of it. The receipt of a blue ribbon or a show trophy, or even an AOS award, doesn't grant you peer status with growers whose reputations have been earned over decades of experience. If you're a beginner, act like it.
Avoid carrying with you bulky items such as backpacks, large purses, crutches and oxygen tanks, which tend to topple or damage plants closest to aisles. Sadly, most growing areas are not, strictly speaking, wheelchair accessible. Large coats are also discouraged, since they can also provide shelter for 'runaway' plants.
In conversation don't drop names. You may think you can impress your host with your personal friendship with some orchid celebrity (based upon a 5 minute conversation during break at a society meeting), but you may also be unaware of the longstanding feud between the two dating back to the Watergate era. One person's ally is another's nemesis. Avoid subjects such as politics and religion. Your host may have been active in the Weather Underground or possibly a founding member of the Christian Coalition. Maybe he received his first orchids along with 10 kilos of cocaine. You may find conversation strained while trying to extricate your foot from your mouth.
Be very careful in talking about your student judgeship with the AOS. Serious growers have some strong opinions about the judging system in general and certain judges in particular. It would be pointless and counterproductive to praise someone for whom your host has nothing but contempt. In general, it is best to avoid offering personal opinions about anyone in the orchid world without first being certain of your host’s opinions regarding that person.
If you are a tobacco smoker, keep all evidence to that effect concealed. Don’t ask if you can smoke. That will only expose you as some self-destructive low-class nicotine addict. Many growers are obsessed with the risk of contagion (even, one might opine, excessively), and tobacco, for all its impacts on public health, is also implicated in virus transmission. If your host is a smoker you will discover that quickly enough, and that will give you the green light to smoke, but outside only, unless your host indicates otherwise.
Don't contradict anything the owner says, even if it the claim seems outrageous. If he tells you he flew on the Enola Gay take him at his word, even if he seems a little young for that.
If you desire to photograph any plants in a collection first ask the permission of the owner. Some growers prefer to maintain full artistic control over their plants, even images of them. Any grower has the right to exercise that option.
'Not For Sale' means just that. The red tags are for those who don't read English.
When viewing select plants never actually touch them, and especially don't attempt to move them unless encouraged to do so by the owner. Due to the asymmetrical growth pattern of many orchids, removing plants from a crowded growing area can sometimes produce a ripple or domino effect of plants toppling into the space just made available, radiating out from there like a card section at a college football game. The potential for damage demands that only the grower can assume such risks.
On no account should you ever remove an ID tag from a pot, no matter if you plan to put it right back. If you can't read a plant’s label you should ask what it is. Pulling a tag out of a plant can cause physical damage to the root system, not to mention the pathogens that can be introduced when the tag is replaced in the pot. Twisting or bending a label to read it can break it, usually at pot level. A two-piece ID tag is the first step in a plant's transition from an awarded clone to a no-name castoff, with the attendant loss of value. Keep your hands to yourself, or you may not be allowed a return visit.
Never criticize any bloom unless you are certain your host feels the same way. Avoid giving the impression that you are a person of poor taste who has no clue as to the standards by which orchids are judged, particularly if it happens to be true.
Never express doubts about the identification of a plant. While you may be certain that Cattleya loddigesii 'Streeter's Choice' is not a spotted minicatt, assume that the disparity is ascribable to mutations in the mericloning process.
If you see any insects, don't point them out. Assume they're on a 'test plant'. Ignore weeds. No grower is going to be impressed that you can accurately identify oxalis. In general, do not offer advice on either cultural techniques or pest control. Seek advice, but don’t offer it. In one’s own greenhouse, there is only one authority.
***
There are a number of phrases that already have been found to be offensive to elite orchid growers:
"How much you want for this?" - You must prove yourself orchid-worthy before you are even eligible as a buyer. Begin by speaking in complete sentences. This isn’t Home Depot. If you are interested in a given plant, ask a leading question, like "Is this available as a mericlone?" (WARNING: This can sound really ignorant if you are referring to a Paphiopedilum!) or "Do they (Not 'you', which is far too direct. Better the nonspecific 'they') sell divisions of this?". If your host is willing to do business with you he'll quickly respond to your cue. If your host responds with a curt "No, maybe you can Google it.", you may already have overstayed your welcome.
"Why so much?" - You're not shopping at the Flea Market, either. Keep questioning prices like that and they may jump considerably as a result.
"Is it collected?" - It's a touchy subject. Such information should be volunteered by the owner. You might be some kind of orchid narc. An orchid collection is very hard to maintain from a jail cell.
"Hey, where's all the good stuff?" - Clearly inappropriate considering you are probably viewing your host's most prized plants. Also discouraged is the parallel "Hey, where's the new stuff?", implying that your host isn't quite keeping up with current breeding trends.
"I've seen better." - Not a comment certain to endear. You might just as well say "Your best is my average."
"This is virused." The ultimate show-stopper. Either you know more about orchids or you know more about viruses. Either way, don't stay up late waiting for another invitation.
***
Readers hoping to visit select collections of orchids may object to any or all of these recommendations, but perhaps they will understand better when they grow up. If not, they are certain to remain the bete noir of all serious orchid growers.
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From my experiance, the best way to learn about orchids and orchidists is to find a good orchid society. 
I was fortunate enough to join the Volusia County Orchid Society in Florida. I met the most wonderful people who took me under thier wings and showed me how to grow, how to set up displays at orchid shows,and how to clerk for AOS judges.
I have had many commercial growers and hobbyists invite me to see thier collections, sell and give me plants and pollen.
Teach me how to pot, mount and flask orchids.
I was amazed at the knowledge and willingness of these people to help me pursue my interest.
You will never be the same! Orchids and Orchidists will change your life for the better! I Promise!!
They are very respected comercial growers in this area!
People climbed right into the display and felt those poor flowers right up. 
Crazy or just rude I do not know but a first time experience for me so do not feel alone in your amazement!
) and almost all have their hands folded...behind their backs! 
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