ISO Tips/Advice: Attending your first Orchid show!

[emmajs243]

Ok guys, I am finally going to my first orchid show! I'm fairly worried I'm going to be pretty disappointed because it is a smaller show however! I really don't care and plan to make it my first of a few this year!

So guys.....how do shows work?!?!?? Do you have to pay to enter them usually or is it different per show? How does buying plants work at shows and sells?? I know you should get there early right when the show starts which is a plan! But I mean.....are all plants there for sale? Or do they usually have and area for sell plants or "price tags" of some sort?

I am hoping they have a class or two available at least! That would be exciting! I don't know! I just really have no idea what to expect! Any tips or advice!?

[MrHappyRotter]

Some are free, some cost money. Even if they are free, there may be other costs depending on the venue, for instance there may be an admission fee to get into the building (like if it's at a museum) or parking fees. You should look it up before you go if cost is a concern.

Plants in displays are generally not for sale, though I suppose if you know the right people and make a good enough offer you might be able to snag one once the show is over.

Vendors generally have a separate area where they set up sales benches/tables and have signage as well as sales people available. Prices are usually listed (often stickers are put on individual plants or signs/tags for groups of the same plant). You can haggle to some degree, but I wouldn't push my luck if you're going early and/or the booth is busy. They're most apt to reduce prices or accept lower offers towards the end of the show just to clear out the stuff they brought so they don't have to cart it back home.

[stonedragonfarms]

Ok guys, I am finally going to my first orchid show! I'm fairly worried I'm going to be pretty disappointed because it is a smaller show however! I really don't care and plan to make it my first of a few this year!

I still remember the first orchid show that I attended almost 25 years ago; I came home with a Lycaste aromatica & a cattleya hybrid; they were not my first orchids, but they were my first from a show... I think that the most important things to 'remember' are: -ask questions; shows are a great time to pick growers and society members minds (most are expecting this interaction), -note the names of plants that you are interested in (and google them to see what their care requirements are before you buy); finally, -have fun

So guys.....how do shows work?!?!?? Do you have to pay to enter them usually or is it different per show? How does buying plants work at shows and sells?? I know you should get there early right when the show starts which is a plan! But I mean.....are all plants there for sale? Or do they usually have and area for sell plants or "price tags" of some sort?

All shows are different; some you have to pay to enter, some are entry by donation, some are free to all--it usually depends on what sort of venue they are being held in. Buying plants generally works about the same as going to a nursery to buy plants, though orchid vendors often accept pre-orders from people attending shows (usually for specific plants hobbyists are looking for, divisions of growers stud plants, compots/flasks, etc). Some shows will also have a member sales area in addition to vendor sales areas--these are usually orchids that society members have extra divisions of, can't grow well, etc., but are usually great buys, especially if you are willing to overlook the fact that most are not in bloom. Typically plants at a show will fall into one of 2 'categories': display plants (ie plants that society members or vendors have assembled into a display for judging or exhibition. 99% of these plants are not for sale--though if something you have your sights set on is in a vendor display, it never hurts to ask, especially if there is more than one of them in the display) & sale plants: exactly as the name implies (your notion about price tags is a good one--plants for sale are generally clearly marked)

I am hoping they have a class or two available at least! That would be exciting! I don't know! I just really have no idea what to expect! Any tips or advice!?

3 tips I'd pass along as a show attendee:
1. If you are in a cold climate, find a chest-type cooler to borrow/buy & 2-4 instant acting "hand-warmers" (the type that have iron filings and a chemical to activate); about an hour before you leave, put the cooler in your bathtub and fill it with hot water. Close the lid and let it stand 30 minutes. Empty it (I save the water to use for watering later), dry it out, activate 1 hand warmer, wrap it in a washcloth, put it in the cooler, put the closed cooler in your car (tuck the extra hand-warmers in your glove compartment) & you have an instant warm holding case for your purchases. Especially useful if you want to make a stop or two when returning from the show, will be travelling anyplace where road conditions can change rapidly, etc.
2. Make sure you have storage space on your phone for multiple pictures--there's nothing worse than having to either spend 20 minutes freeing up space for photos (when you could be shopping vendor tables instead) or taking a bunch of photos only to find that your phone has shunted them (or the ones they're replacing) to some random space in the cloud.
3. Prepare a list of 3 questions you'd like answered before you go. Every show I've ever attended has either had an 'answer booth', classes with a Q&A session or society members mingling and actively striking up conversation with show attendees. It's great to have a pointed question (or three) loaded and ready.

3 tips I'd pass along as a show organizer:
1. Don't touch plants in displays. Ever.
2. When taking photos, be mindful of the flow of people in the room.
3. Vendors like to answer questions, but remember that they are there to sell & exhibit plants as well.
Have Fun

[camille1585]

I can only speak for the shows I've been to in Europe, which I think function similarily.

I've always had to pay to get inside the venue, th price probably depending on how much it cost for them to rent the place. Usually there is a 'show' area, where blooming plants are showed off and arranged in some sort of display. None of those are for sale, and don't necessarily represent what is for sale. Sale tables are often in a separate area. I've either seen prices directly on the plants, or a list is available on the table with prices.

If you want some specific plants or a large range to chose from, go early! if there are very specific plants you want, usually vendors will accept pre-orders (you either order and pay online and pick up at the show, or reserve by email and pay on pick up, contact the vendor to find out their preferred method).

Lastly, if you are new-ish to orchids, you will have the urge to buy everything in sight! Go with a budget in mind, it's too easy to overspend.... You may be tempted to buy plants you are unfamilar with, and shows are a great place to find out if it's a suitable plant for your conditions since you can ask the sales people for advice.

And a tip, though everyone has different preferences, I like to do a first tour of the vendor tables where I just look, and make a mental list of what plants I like, then go around again, this time to buy my favorites.

[Ray]

1) Do your homework; know what might grow well in your conditions and what won't.

2) Take lots of cash.

3) Be aware that you're likely to pay more for a plant at a show than if ordered online. Vendors have either had to "buy" a place to sell, or are paying a commission to the host. However, the major "plus" is that you can get a plant of your choice, rather that getting whatever comes through the mail.

4) Take lots of cash.

5) If you go on the last day of the show, pickings will be slim, but you may be able to get a break on remaining plants, as to many sellers, it's better to make less, rather than zero, and have to repack to take them home again.

6) Take lots of cash.

[emmajs243]

Oh GREAT advice guys!!! And you have all gotten me so excited!

MrHappyRotter! Great to know prices sometimes are lowered toward the end of the show! Definitely worth a second walk through at that point....or a 20th walk through! Price isn't too much of a concern, I can't expect anything outrageous but I could also see me going and trying to pay for entry just to find out something like, "Oh all AOS members get in free" I'm totally that person so figured I didn't want to sound ridiculous trying to pay!

Stonedragonfarms! THE COOLER AND WARMERS IS AMAZING ADVICE! I do totally live in a cold area and NEVER would have thought of this! I have just the cooler in mind! Nice and taller then usual cube cooler!!

ALSO! GREAT tip about storage on the phone!!!!! Mine has totally been running out of space randomly and it is SO frustrating so THAT is a definite need to do!

AND again! GREAT advice on writing down some questions!!!! Very true! Especially since they will be in my climate or similar so I can really talk more specific about that sort of stuff!!!!

And Camille! DEFINITELY need to set a budget probably just because I know me and then from what MrHappyRotter said, I'll set two. One for plants I've been searching for and then one of my max to spend at the end if I happen to find any irrestiable deals!! Definitely a good piece of advice because I have finally reached that point where I am looking for more specific plants instead of just everyrhing BUT, in the moment, I could totally see me getting caught up with wanting everything!

I also agree with you about doing one quick walk through to take it all in and then doubling back for purchases!!

Also! Really good to know about pre-ordering! I have a few specific Cattleya species I have been trying to find that I hope might show up!!

Man!!! SUCH, great advice! ESPECIALLY the cooler! I totally wouldn't of thought twice about transporting them home!!!

I am definitely a consciousness person so that's why I wanted to figure out how they work because I am totally the person to not ask any questions until I see everyone else is and then regret not getting to ask something before a purchase! I am the one that will wait and let the vendor go help every other customer before me! Or just not ask at all! So THAT definitely won't be a problem but now at least I feel comfortable if I do have a specific question when making a purchase!

Hey so question, normally I isolate all new plants...if your buying at a show however, there really isn't a way to isolate them from each other is there? Do you still bother to isolate them from each other once you bring them home or just from your current collection??

And lastly, this JUST hit me.....shows are cash only I would guess??? Or with the rise of technology do some vendors have it set up for cards? I never carry cash so definitely would show up with nothing and have to run to an ATM!

Thank you guys so much! SO blown away from all the great tips and tricks given!

---------- Post added at 11:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

Oh! Nevermind!! Ray read my mind!!! Take lots of cash!!! Check! 😉 thanks Ray!

I am hoping to only buy the plants I haven't been able to find online....however! It's so easy to get caught up in the moment! Maybe I WONT take lots of cash and there's my solution!.....and lock my card from ATM use....😜

[fishmom]

One thing not mentioned is the "Plant Hotel", which is common in our area. When you buy a plant, you take it to the hotel, they put it in a personal box and give you a ticket. If you buy more plants, you take them to the hotel and they are added to your box, verified by the ticket. That way you don't have to carry your new finds around all day. Definitely take advantage of this if it is offered.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by emmajs243

I am hoping they have a class or two available at least! That would be exciting! I don't know! I just really have no idea what to expect! Any tips or advice!?

I can't add much. Everyone already covered everything quite thoroughly. As far as classes, there should be information available to that effect on the society's website, Facebook page, etc.

Just curious. What show are you going to? And please don't feel like you have to share that information if you'd rather not. We would understand. I only ask because some of us may be familiar with the particular show and could give you helpful hints or information specific to that one.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by emmajs243

And lastly, this JUST hit me.....shows are cash only I would guess??? Or with the rise of technology do some vendors have it set up for cards? I never carry cash so definitely would show up with nothing and have to run to an ATM!

All of the vendors at the shows I have been to took cards. Most had “the Square” card readers that they use with their phones. Cash is always great though. Cash can give you a little more buying power, especially if it’s the last day. Also, most shows have a raffle table that has plants donated by the vendors and/or society members that you can buy tickets for. That’s a great way to help support the hosting society. Most of these orchid shows have free entry depending on their size and/or venue. Free or not, they still cost a lot of money and take a ton of effort to put on- space rentals, ribbons, trophies, providing lunch or breakfast for the judges if it’s a AOS judged show- that sort of thing. It’s nice to support them in some way if you can.


I’m going to repeat the recommendations of have a budget in mind. It is very easy to start grabbing everything in sight. Try not to buy more than you can handle. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with too many plants in your care early on. It’s supposed to be a fun hobby and it can be discouraging if your plants keep having issues or won’t bloom for you. Think about what orchids that have done well for you and rebloomed and try to find some that need similar care. Hopefully they will have someone selling supplies. I like to stock up on bark, rhizome clips, pots, ect. while I’m at shows so I don’t pay for shipping latter. Lastly, make friends with the vendors and society members.

[Leafmite]

Orchid shows are fun!

Nor sure if these these have already been mentioned:

I like to go to the orchid society's website and see if I can find what vendors will be there. Then, if they have an online store, I like to see what orchids they have. If they have anything I really want, I pre-order the orchids and have them brought to the show for pick up. The earlier that you can contact the vendor, the better the chances that they will be able to bring the orchid/orchids.

If you see an orchid that you really want in a display, talk to one of the orchid society members (often found at a table near the door if none are walking around the show). Often they know which vendor has the display and, if they have seen that vendor selling it, they can show you where the orchid is (often the orchids for sale may not be in bloom). When working at our shows, I have often helped people find the orchid with which they have fallen in love.

You can usually join the orchid society at the show! Even if you cannot make all the meetings, they might have an informative newsletter and the membership is usually quite cheap.

Orchid society members helping at the shows will be happy to answer your questions.

I know my growing conditions so when I am interested in an unfamiliar orchid, I can tell the vendor my conditions and ask if the conditions are suitable for the orchid. This saves me from buying orchids that will not survive for me.

Good luck and have fun!