What do you see?

I never seem to see anything very unusual, especially in the slipper department! Very few species. Mostly hybs and large ones at that. Sometimes in the NE we get a few vendors selling unusual out of bloom plants, but not muchl Never much IN bloom or UNUSUAL. I would love to hear others' experiences!

Is it just the NE region I'm in? DO TELL!

What do you see?

I never seem to see anything very unusual, especially in the slipper department! Very few species. Mostly hybs and large ones at that. Sometimes in the NE we get a few vendors selling unusual out of bloom plants, but not muchl Never much IN bloom or UNUSUAL. I would love to hear others' experiences!

Is it just the NE region I'm in? DO TELL!

Maybe it's because hybrids are cheaper, "easier" to grow for the general public, so they sell faster? :confused: I don't know.

If you're talking about the standard orchid shows that rely on the general public for it's audience, you most likely won't see many Paphs. I've learned by talking to vendors who go to these shows that the main thing that sells is anything in bloom. If it's big, showy, and cheap, it'll fly. Paphs are also not as popular as we would believe. I believe that the majority of people given the choice of a Phaleanopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium Intergeneric, or a Paph in bloom for the same price would pick the Phal., Cat or the Onc.

Blooming sized plants in spike, especially the Oncidiums and Phals can be purchased wholesale much more cheaply than Paphs and also have the added advantage of being clones of plants with superior flowers. On the other hand, Paphs are more expensive, because they reach maturity more slowly, and there is no guarantee of flower quality because they are grown from seedlings.

This doesn't necessarily apply to all shows, especially bigger ones, which tend to draw more seriuos orchid collectors, thus providing a better opportunity for specialist breeders to sell more.

I noticed a lot of paphs at the Michigan Orchid Society show this year—probably helps that Orchid Inn and Fox Valley have sales tables and displays. Lots of other paphs and phrags, too, though. There are more each year.

Robin

What Paphreek said. I've started doing pre-orders from one vendor that always comes to our annual show. That way I get plants that they wouldn't normally bring, I can check out the plant quality before buying it, and I can meet and talk to the vendor a little. Although, I did luck out and get the cupreum form of tonsum at the last show. I guess you just never know.

As for displays, the hybrids really do seem to dominate in the couple of shows I attend. That is, until I get enough species in bloom to do my own, educational display. 8)

There are a few paph idiots out there who will buy the unusual stuff, but the majority of the public wants something in bloom. And, unless you get there before the show starts, anything cool or unusual is usually snapped up way before the public gets to the show. Usually right about the time the plants are unloaded from the truck... *grin* If you want the good stuff, start volunteering to help set up shows.

Our shows in southern Ohio usually have a good variety and plenty of rare stuff. We do have vendors who just sell blooming hybrid phals and the like...but we also have an equal number who sell stuff you have to google to know what you want. I think it is because in Cincinnati and Dayton we get Hoosier Orchids and Orchid Outlet and a few others who specialize in species and less common genuses, and local members like River Valley Orchids who specialize in Phrags and species slippers. Then in Columbus, Orchid Inn and Robert's usually show up and bring plenty of Paphs, Phrags, and Cyps. I really lucked out when I think about it.
Jon

There are a few paph idiots out there who will buy the unusual stuff, but the majority of the public wants something in bloom. And, unless you get there before the show starts, anything cool or unusual is usually snapped up way before the public gets to the show. Usually right about the time the plants are unloaded from the truck... *grin* If you want the good stuff, start volunteering to help set up shows.

Oh goody! I'm classified as a Paph idiot! LOL! You know, I've only bought one slipper in bloom at a show? The rest have been species. hehehe.... :twisted:

I am getting very close to joining the New Hampshire Orchid Society. I've been to all but two shows in my 4-state area this year, and would have made them all if we didn't go away in February. I think they always have the best displays, more slippers, and speciment sized plants. I could use a place to exhibit *my* stuff in the future also. Maybe. Every one of my "local" societies are at least an hour from me though, so it has taken me a year to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide.

Edit: Oh dear! Rob, I apologize, I think I clicked edit instead of quote last night and completely butchered your post! I am extremely apologetic! Darn it! :roll: Sorry!! How embarrassing!

I am getting very close to joining the New Hampshire Orchid Society. I've been to all but two shows in my 4-state area this year, and would have made them all if we didn't go away in February. I think they always have the best displays, more slippers, and speciment sized plants. I could use a place to exhibit *my* stuff in the future also. Maybe. Every one of my "local" societies are at least an hour from me though, so it has taken me a year to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide.

Well, it is usually worthwhile to be in a local society. The internet is nice, but it doesn't substitute for interacting with real people. You can join most of those societies without ever attending a meeting, and get the newsletter if nothing else. It is usually cheap to join. When you know what the topic of the next meeting is going to be, it sometimes makes it easier to get out of the house.

Edit: Oh dear! Rob, I apologize, I think I clicked edit instead of quote last night and completely butchered your post! I am extremely apologetic! Darn it! :roll: Sorry!! How embarrassing!
Oh, it probably didn't say much interesting anyway... *grin*

Edit: Oh dear! Rob, I apologize, I think I clicked edit instead of quote last night and completely butchered your post! I am extremely apologetic! Darn it! :roll: Sorry!! How embarrassing!
Oh, it probably didn't say much interesting anyway... *grin*

No, it did! I feel terrible! Someone should revoke my managerial title! Bad Moderater! Bad!

No, it did! I feel terrible! Someone should revoke my managerial title! Bad Moderater! Bad!

You have to be careful with those buttons and I have done it myself, accidently of course and I almost did it again a couple of times just the other day. :roll:

I guess allot or hardly any are pretty relative terms, and depends on expectations.

On the shows I've been involved with I don't see what I would consider allot of species paphs. Maybe a 1/2 dozen entries in each class. I was suprized at the last Huntsville Al show that had a dozen or more entries in single flower paph species with a couple of oddballs like fowleii and accmodontum.

I generally see allot of odd Bulbophyllums, but Huntsville is the home of Bob Fallon. Also Joe Leavy (Magnifico) is from the Memphis area so I see allot of her stuff.

I don't expect allot of cool plants to purchase at shows. Most growers sell more on the internet for their cool stuff, and they are trying to pick up a little of the impulse foot traffic with the easier, pretty stuff.