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

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by 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.

That's up to you. I always go on Friday morning before the best orchids are bought up. The show is on a big piece of property and it requires quite a bit of walking. After a few hours I'm pretty worn out. Some people break it up into two days so they don't wear themselves out. I heard they get about 30,000 people over 3 days. You may want to have a plan also. Look at the list of vendors and think about which vendors you are most interested in visiting first. I have three or four vendors that I always go to first and then I start browsing the rest. The weather sometimes comes into play also. Three years ago we had huge thunderstorms on Saturday and several years have been very hot. Last year we had very nice weather so I hope we get another year like that.

[pipsxlch]

Once again, what Tucker said.

First off, Redland will be great for finding what you grow! I'd recommend looking at the various vendor's websites to figure out the 'MUST hits' to look for; if you see something super desirable on the website many of the vendors will do preorders.

Second, I do what Tucker does- try to hit as early as I can on Friday, before the cream has been sold off. IF I do a second day (I drive 5+ hours for this show; I've done it as a day trip going home that afternoon, and gone for the weekend staying at a motel) I go on Sunday, when there are some pretty good bargains to be had from vendors who don't want to have to pack the stuff up and take it back home. Guess those 2 days won't work for you, so I'd go Friday for best choices. If it must be a weekend day, right at opening on Saturday or wait till Sunday for the bargains.

How long it takes has been from, oh, about 3-4 hours on a fairly focused spin through thinking of the drive back home when I leave, to going with my sister (also has orchids) and staying over, so in no hurry and probably about 5-6 hours. There are food and drink vendors on site, and most pathways are pretty wide if you need a wheelchair (crowds are thick though). There's a plant babysitting location but this is a good show to bring a cart to.

Wear your summer clothes, even a sun hat, and keep yourself hydrated!

[tropterrarium]

Redlands is certainly biased towards warm growers, with POE going cool. Santa Barbara is intermediate. Have been to all three (Redlands once, POE 2x, third time this WE, SBIOS maybe 8x).

Re how much time, Redlands has some talks that you may enjoy. Santa Barbara has the concurrent Cymbidium congress, that I will go to. Not for Cymbidium, but to chat with some more high profile researchers. POE has no special programs.

If you just want to shop for plants, then one day is plenty. If you know what you are after, then you can try to pre-order from the vendors. That's what I always do. Note, however, that particularly POE vendor list has not been updated in years, and I got notice from some vendors whom I contacted, that they will not be there that particular year.

I've only been to one AOS meeting (Portland last spring) and vendors were a bit disappointing. Nothing compared to any of the above three shows. The upcoming North Carolina show/meeting sounds a bit better, but will be in DC giving some talks that WE at US Bot Garden and NCOS.

[gnathaniel]

I'd recommend the April AOS member's meeting and show in Asheville. It won't be anywhere near as big as Redland, Tamiami, or all the excellent California shows, but for its more modest size it's always of excellent quality and has great vendors, this year including Andy's, Krull-Smith, and I think a couple of Phal/Paph nurseries from Taiwan. Plus Asheville is a fun place to visit even apart from the show. I've had to miss the last several shows since I moved to GA (from Asheville, so I do have a bias here) and was in school fulltime, but I'm definitely going this year.

[Cym Ladye]

Given the choice of Redlands, SBIOS in Santa Barbara and POE in San Francisco, I would always opt for SBIOS. Not only do you have multiple vendors and beautifully arranged displays, but you have the option of going directly to at least 4 nurseries in the area holding open houses.

The displays are far superior to those at POE, especially the very large center display featuring water falls and multiple water features amid the incredible display of orchids. The ambiance is warmer and friendlier and last but not least, you cannot beat the restaurants and Santa Barbara weather in the spring!

POE is this weekend and SB is the following. Two shows for one trip!

[pipsxlch]

One thing about Redland is that there isn't a whole lot of parking there (assuming you're flying down and renting a car, or driving down). People are parking alongside the narrow country roads for probably 1/4 mile around; most of the public use small lot near the front entrance (have only ever come in that way) is taken up with handicapped parking. Wear comfortable shoes also! It's far enough out that a taxi might be a bit pricey. Another reason to show up early. Tamiami at the Dade County Fairgrounds has them beat in this department.

They just posted this year's dates and vendors on their website, but haven't posted a speakers list or about nursery tours or hotel discounts per usual yet. I haven't attended the speeches- either in a hurry or with my disinterested sister. There are several good nurseries within a short drive that usually have an open house.

Not pertinent for the OP, but they have a booth with USDA inspectors on site to inspect plants for international visitors. You can get your papers on them there to ship home. I don't remember this at Tamiami- but maybe I just didn't notice.

Hmm, if I ever get the chance SBIOS sounds interesting!

[Orchidreamer]

Thanks all, for the additional info! So it's all settled for this year, already booked tickets for Miami and will do the Redland's orchid show as well as the Keys. I will try to plan my visit as to not get worn out by wandering around until my eyes start swimming with orchids. However, I am a bit concerned about the safety of Homestead, FL, as I read that it has some sketchy neighborhoods. Do you guys have recommendations for where to stay? I saw that the Redland's main website has a list of nearby hotels with group rates, but the page hasn't been updated since last year. For us, safety is the priority, and we will have a rental car, so distance is not a big deal.

In the future, would love to visit SBIOS or POE orchid shows, will definitely keep that in mind!

[tropterrarium]

Re display quality, I respectfully disagree with Cym Ladye. SBIOS has lots of flashy Cymbidiums and Phal displays, which I find uninteresting. POE is superior for botanicals, hands down. The fog terrarium with pleurothallids is always spectacular at POE. Andy does his typical thing at both places, of course.

[Cym Ladye]

As has been said earlier, it all depends on what you are looking for. Most of the vendors and exhibitors at POE are at SBIOS. It is just the whole ambiance at SB that is so superior to SF in my opinion. I was a regular hobbyist exhibitor at POE for many years but would not display there again. However, I would continue to exhibit at SB even though it is a 5 hour drive!

POE has been dramatically shrinking in the display area and considerably more this year. They have also eliminated Preview night this year. I suspect sadly, it is all a matter of economics.

[AnonYMouse]

Was that Dr. Koopowitz giving a talk in the display area?

I got to meet Michael Ooi.

I missed Andy but that's a good thing for my wallet. Besides, I forgot to take a picture of the Loefgrenianthus he talked me into last year, I wanted to know if I have sheaths. I'll let you know eventually.

I should have picked up a couple more tree fern plaques. Always buy more than you think you need.

I found out my freakily tiny Pingucula esserinia is normal.

All in all, a good show. I'd like to see some of the Redlands vendors but I don't think I can take a bigger show.

Indonesian for dinner.