I probably won't buy any new orchids but I will likely spend an entire day working at our show.
**Unless there are any Angraecums or Aeranthes that are on my wish list. They are a weakness.

Funny you should ask this today, I just got off the phone with a friend, we were talking about going to the Redlands show this year. Sure would be fun.
I always spend 3 days at our own show in March, helping from setting up to tear down...so much fun!...Jean

I hope more people volunteer to help out with their local orchid societies' shows. And when you do, get creative about raising $$ for the society!

Every show has a members' sale table, where members' own plants are donated for sale (or in some cases, the society gets a % of the sale price). This is a good opportunity to divide some large plants and do some good with the divisions. It's not a good way to get rid of sick orchids.

Last year, I volunteered at the coat and plant check. Nobody had thought of putting up a tips jar! By the end of the first day, there was over $200 in the jar, all added funds for the society.

Thanks AnonYMouse.


Thanks for the advice Katrina. I'm sure talking to vendors will not be a problem for me, problem will be for them! :rofl:

Sadly, I already know what you mean about impulse buying. I have some beautiful vini Paphs that I bought on impulse from Hausermann's; it's not that I don't like them but though they're all different they're all pretty similar vinis and well...I feel the space could be given to ssomething that I really want.

Impulse control is really important for me too considering I'd like to attend more than one show. Of course that means not meeting capacity at the first one!!

Thanks again!



Ha! :rofl: That's too funny Ula. I think that condition is contagious, extremely so actually. I believe that it is air and vision-borne. That just being in the mere vicinity of an orchid you will be infected. I may have to get an "Orchid-flu" shot before I go.



Thanks Paul! Great advice however I'm seeing that not all shows list their vendors, so I will check where I can and go blind elsewhere!

And I do hear you on the space issue, as I was agreeing with Katrina about in due time it seems we all feel differently about our impulse buys especially if you ever spend hours scouring ebay...or your local grower...or...here... But good call on requesting plants if possible.



RandomGemini, just one Paph? You might need the antiorchidotic to protect you against all those other beauties!

I totally get sticking with minis...if only that were attainable! I look forward to seeing how we all do?

---------- Post added at 12:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 AM ----------

Ha ha Leafmite, Good luck! What do you do when you help out?


You should go! (I'm a bad influence. ;)) 3 days eh? What do You do during these three days?


To be honest I've not joined a society as I'm kind of between two places though most of my orchids are in one. I'm not opposed to the idea, one day I plan to visit and attend a meeting. Perhaps one day do some volunteering too, would be nice to chat with other enthusiasts.




On average, how many shows do you guys attend?

Do you travel long distances to go?

Do you always try to go on the first day, early or...?

(I feel like we could just talk and talk to make the days go by and then the waits won't be so painful. ;))

There are two orchid societies in Toronto alone - one is SOOS (Southern Ontario) and the other is Toronto Artistic (entirely Asian, with meetings and communication conducted in Chinese). Both put on beautiful shows, with some good vendors. So I don't need to travel too far to get my orchid fix.

You do need to watch out for unscrupulous vendors - some will try to unload sick plants, even virused, at the shows. Examine everything very carefully, avoid cheap rescues, and ask where the plants were grown. Some will be straight off a plane from Taiwan, and they may not grow well in your home. I try to support local growers as much as possible.

Quote: Ha ha Leafmite, Good luck! What do you do when you help out?

I do whatever is needed. Last year, I put the ribbons on the winning orchids and then worked at the membership and information tables as well as helped people find what sorts of orchids they wanted among the vendors.

Anything I buy at shows will be an impulse buy.

That is usually the case with me, too. I think I have only ever bought two orchids at a show that were on my list.

Just the one Paph! I have a vinicolor maudiae type paph and would like a coloratum. I may grow more paphs later on down the road, but for right now, I'm keeping their numbers small. :)

Paul our local show is at the end of May and I have already done a preliminary look at the vendor websites. I was just about to suggest the same thing. That way you can see what you like and do your homework before you go. That also helped me to learn which questions to ask.