MarilyninOttawa
Welcome to the show! picture
But where are the orchids?
As orchids become more and more popular as cut flowers and as decorative plants, we see them turning up at horticultural exhibitions either in stand-alone exhibits, mixed with other plants, or incorporated in floral designs. Does the mix of plants always work or is it better to keep orchids apart from generic horticultural displays? In this show, a small display of orchids seemed out of place amongst masses of spring flowers. picture

In 2005, the World Orchid Conference (Dijon, France) will be held in conjunction with world-famous 'Florissimo', famous for its impressive tropical plant displays. The orchid exhibits will be grouped together to form, as the organizers put it, the heart of the show. My husband Michael and I will be going. Hope to see some of you there. To learn more about the World Orchid Conference visit button

Orchids including Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Miltoniopsis, Odontoglossums and even reed stem Epidendrums make stunning displays when exhibited in large groups. Here we see a grouping of Masdevallia coccinea, Masd. ignea and in the background, Miltoniopsis. picture

Most orchid shows have restrictions on just what additional plant material can be used in exhibits. No blooms other than orchids can be used and plant material cannot be dyed or painted: In floral arrangements, orchids must predominate. Orchid memorabilia are usually welcome as exhibits and some are very attractively presented. picture

In horticultural shows, the rules are just the opposite. Apart from common sense rules about pests and diseases, orchids can and are used for just about any purpose from props to help sell decorative pots to colorful additions to majestic floral designs. picture

Still, there is common sense. Some colors and textures do not work well together however one wishes to use them

Foliage and flowers in exhibits

Both potted plants and cut leaves/branches can effectively enhance exhibits by becoming an impressive yet low key foil to exotic orchid blooms. For example, Bird's Nest ferns provide a soothing contrast to the heavily spotted leaves of Paphiopedilum. picture

Certain cactus and succulent plants can work equally well with orange and yellow blooms of Guarianthe (C.) aurantiaca and its hybrids to dramatic effect. picture

While yew boughs may be useful in that they do not wilt during a show, they might not always be the best choice in terms of color or texture. Privet branches with leaves bronzed during cold autumn nights might be a more effective alternative. picture

Selected plant material including pumpkins, corn stalks, birch bark or even dried tree leaves have been used to illustrate a theme. picture

While the mauve painted pumpkins, etc were a stunning combination, the orchid show judges disqualified the artistic exhibit because the natural material had been altered, ie painted.

Imagine flat dried oak leaves used as novel plant labels. Some ideas may not be as persuasive on show day so it pays to have a trial run beforehand. To avoid disappointment, always check the show guidelines to be certain that what you plan falls will not be disqualified.

Floral designs

Many orchid shows have categories for amateur and professional floral designs that feature orchids. Artificial flowers may or may not be permitted. Dyed blooms are often a no-no. Class definitions may specify an arrangement of only orchids or there may be the proviso that orchids predominate in the design. Some orchids including Aranda, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, and Oncidium are particularly useful while large white Cattleya-type blooms and elegant sprays of Phalaenopsis are popular in bridal categories.

Aranda and related vandaceous blooms - Long-lasting and available in a range of warm sunset shades from pink through golds and orange, stems often carry more than a dozen blooms. These can be used with a range of contrasting plant material and to great effect. Here they are used together with mauve pink magnolias. picture

Cymbidium - Available as either single blooms or as cut sprays, popular shades of green, pink, rose and white are used in classic and novel designs.

A design featuring cut arums and cymbidiums. picture

A dramatic design featuring cymbidiums. picture

Another interesting design with sprays of green cymbidium, papyrus and osage oranges. picture

This fanciful design used pendant sprays of cymbidiums together with globes of fresh cut carnations. picture

Here, cymbidiums play second fiddle to a mass of foliage and flowers as part of a decorative pillar. picture

No matter how exotic the flowers, some designs do not work that well. Here gloriosa lily, arum and cymbidiums. picture

This interesting design features cymbidiums and dendrobiums which blend nicely with some exotic blooms such as heliconia and pineapple ginger. picture

Dendrobium - Phalaenopsis-types and cane-types are available in a range of colors from purple, pink and white to yellows, golds, greens and rose shades. Dendrobium phalaenopsis types work well on their own with contrasting foliage while the cane-type blooms can be incorporated with equally exotic plant material including Heliconia or Torch Ginger as we saw in the previous image. picture

Oncidium - We see the Dancing Ladies everywhere and the flowers are not so long lasting but what an impact when sprays of bright yellow blooms are used to lighten a bouquet. These are particularly effective with forced branches, pussy willow and Red Osier Dogwood. Here, the oncidiums lighten the combination of black parrot tulips and dark ivy. picture

Phalaenopsis - As cut flowers they may wilt; a lot depends upon the substance and conditioning. Some of these blooms are wilting. picture

As flowering potted plants, Phalaenopsis excel when grouped in a basket or when incorporated in a large design.

Backdrops and design

When a dramatic landscape effect is needed, what better way to achieve it than with a tastefully designed backdrop or mural. The scene can be fanciful or natural, a landscape or a woodland setting. picture

John in Arcadia
Do they allow the spraying of the backs of the phalaenopsis to hold the flowers a little longer? A wax type spray is sometimes used.

MarilyninOttawa
Good question John. I would expect that if a treatment were next to undetectable to the judges, it could be used. I haven't seen that here though although it might be more popular in the professional florist circles. The rules usually state that the flowers cannot be dyed or be artificial. That certainly gives some latitude for undetectable but oh so efficacious treatments.

John_in_Arcadia
Yes, professionals do use it and I think it cannot be detected. The judges are judging the arrangement not the flowers I think. But the spray is not a dye or really an artificial substance. It is only used on the back to maintain the original phal.
MarilyninOttawa
Complimentary foliage plants such as palms and bromeliads can be used to draw out the theme. With few exceptions, orchids show best when shown with others of the same kind or of the same color. One Phalaenopsis placed in a sea of tulips or other showy non-orchid blooms appears lost. It becomes the 'lonely petunia' in the proverbial 'onion patch'. One massive Cymbidium however will easily dominate assorted patio plants. Think 'effect' to achieve that winning design.

Now that the formal presentation is done, I was wondering about your opinions about shows. Should we keep orchids separate or should we try to mix them in displays?

John_in_Arcadia
I think that displays ought to be of orchids only (with some greenery allowed of course) but that arrangements should allow other items.

Gaile
I had a hard time finding the orchids in some of those displays. I think I may be a purist and prefer to keep them separate. I adore roses, but I don't think I'd enjoy an arrangement of orchids and roses. (but I'm willing to be proven wrong)

janetteh
Gail, I saw an arrangement on TV the other day using pink roses and pink cymbidiums. It was quite successful and very well done.

MarilyninOttawa
The judges are looking for effect. How the design is balanced, how it meets a theme, how the colors are used, how the flowers have been conditioned (freshness) and how the mechanics are hidden. One does not want to see wires, flower picks or floral foam except on very close inspection.

John_in_Arcadia
Yes, I would definitely go for that

Colinham(Australia)
Thank you Marilyn. Down here our society allows only anthurium flowers as complimentary in displays. I don't know why - that's the way it has been for the 30 odd years I have been a member. But any non-flowering foliage may be used - bromeliads and ferns are most common, especially Adiantum ferns.

Janetteh
There is so much variety to choose from when it comes to doing an orchid display. I think that is why orchid shows are successful. People are always amazed at all the different kinds of orchids there are. We are always limited by what is in bloom at any particular time but can usually come up with an interesting array of plants for an exhibit.

Colinham(Australia)
Oh, do you hear that remark before every show too? ... I won't have anything in flower!!!

janetteh
Colin, sometimes the pickings are very slim in our greenhouse at certain times of the year. But we can always find something.

Carole
We just had our AV show and the designs involve lines, transition, and the focus should be the AV. I think I would like the orchids to be separate from the other flowers. I believe John is right about the judges are judging the designs. I watched our judges and they would make sweeping motions in the direction of the lines.

MarilyninOttawa
I presented this topic because I have been seeing some very sad orchid representations in horticultural shows. Many of the pics presented were from a very big horticultural show where tulips and bedding plants predominated. Orchids were an afterthought. Apart from floral designs where orchids can play a major role, I feel that orchid exhibits should be grouped for effect. I am really pleased that the Dijon show will be done this way.

Colinham(Australia)
For our society's shows, there is usually a theme selected. The show next week is set as having a nautical theme. Others have been song title, nursery rhymes etc

MarilyninOttawa
Colin, Interesting comments about anthuriums. Are colored ones used or only green/white? We see lots of ferns and sheet moss used in Canada. It gives a natural look. I remember the impressive assemblage of cymbidiums at the Auckland New Zealand WOC. One exhibit featured the diploid and tetraploid forms of the cultivar side by side.

Colinham(Australia)
You know, I can't ever remember seeing a white one in a display. Reds, oranges and white with red freckles, but no pure white. I think it is too overpowering.

janetteh
I think that society exhibits are the hardest ones to do. You don't want to hurt someone's feelings by not using their plants so the exhibits are many times too crowded. And some people will bring plants just because they are in bloom with no consideration as to quality of the bloom.

MarilyninOttawa
I understand the society exhibit dilemma all too well. First, a society encourages members to produce their own exhibits then has the challenge of not having enough for the host display. It is then difficult to turn away anything but the diseased or infested.

Carole
Here is a pic of my design that won best in class. button The show theme was Violets on Broadway and the class was "Gypsy" so we had to incorporate feathers. This was the first interpretative plant arrangement I ever did. The members are now telling me that I have no excuses not to enter more designs next year.

John in Arcadia
I like that Carole. It seems most effective.

Gaile
Very nice! Were the flowers really that blue?? Wonderful

Carole
Thank you. The name of the plant is Spectacular Blue, but the blooms are really a dark purple.

MarilyninOttawa
The TAISUCO (Taiwan Sugar Company) produce some stunning displays of Phalaenopsis. I remember their having a tree of Phalaenopsis at Vancouver. Of course, if you are going to produce a large exhibit you need lots of blooming specimens.

MarilyninOttawa
The design category at our show has grown from a few florist examples to a bevy of amateur entries and many of them very well done. We always have design judges for this part of the show. Specimen judging is separate.

Do any of you have memorabilia exhibits, orchids on stamps, etc?

Gaile
I don't

Steve_in_the_Adirondacks
I know some of us collect orchid labels from plants we have killed. ;-)

janetteh
We have a category for them at our local show and usually have several entries. We have several classes for orchid art and the entries there can be very diverse and interesting.

Susan from Idaho
I'm staring a collection of vintage pulp novels with orchids depicted on the cover.

colinham_(Australia)
Our show rules state that a plant must have been owned by the exhibitor for at least 6 months.

Jade_in_GR
I agree with that rule and was disappointed when it seems to now become ignored unless the plant is being judged for a growing award. It really has reduced participation by members with fewer plants, those who grow under lights or those with limited plant budgets.

Janetteh
How has it reduced member participation, Jade?

Jade in GR
The show chair person often announces that not all plants may be good enough for the display and people should feel bad if their plant doesn't get used. This person has the tact of Godzilla. You can just imagine how such an announcement might frighten a newby. This is usually the thing for shows going to other venues. Add to that another show person who is less than careful with the plants of others and we have had reduced participation. Sending a plant in perfect condition and have it returned with broken leave/spikes sure doesn't make my day especially when it never happens to display person's plants.

colinham_(Australia)
One display section we have caters for the small grower and those who cannot physically handle a floor type display. Termed 'Small Display', they can create one on one of those picnic or card tables, about 3ft square, and I think the limit is 10 plants.

MarilyninOttawa
I know that we have had a challenge with new club members wanting to show their one and only plant at the meeting. We created a novice category to encourage them and that seemed to work. Perhaps a novice class at a show might work?

janetteh
Colin, we offer a table top exhibit of up to 15 sq.ft. They can use as much of the table as they wish. Last time we had a show was the first time it had been offered and was very popular.

Jim4eq
All the shows around here have open entries, save an area for single plant entries besides the displays. That way, I can bring in one, and Jade can bring in 12… And here in south Florida, we have a lot of unaffiliated or seldom attendance who still have great plants. Gives them an option if no room in society display. Don't forget, south Florida has 17 societies in 60 mile range, LOL!!

MarilyninOttawa
That is a great idea! We have something like that in our fragrance exhibit (individual entries). Of course, it could detract from the society exhibit which is composed of all those individual specimens.

Prechat Handout

Orchids and Horticultural Exhibitions

Marilyn H. S. Light Copyright April 2004

As orchids become more and more popular as cut flowers and as decorative plants, we see them turning up at horticultural exhibitions either in stand-alone exhibits, mixed with other plants, or incorporated in floral designs. Does the mix of plants always work or is it better to keep orchids apart from generic horticultural displays? In 2005, the World Orchid Conference (Dijon, France) will be held in conjunction with world-famous 'Florissimo', famous for its impressive tropical plant displays. The orchid exhibits will be grouped together to form, as the organizers put it, the heart of the show. Orchids including Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Miltoniopsis, Odontoglossums and even reed stem Epidendrums make stunning displays when exhibited in large groups. To learn more about this event visit http://www.woc2005.org

Most orchid shows have restrictions on just what additional plant material can be used in exhibits. No blooms other than orchids can be used and plant material cannot be dyed or painted: In floral arrangements, orchids must predominate. In horticultural shows, the rules are just the opposite. Apart from common sense rules about pests and diseases, orchids can and are used for just about any purpose from props to help sell decorative pots to colorful additions to majestic floral designs. Still, there is common sense. Some colors and textures do not work well together however one wishes to use them

Foliage and flowers in exhibits

Both potted plants and cut leaves/branches can effectively enhance exhibits by becoming an impressive yet low key foil to exotic orchid blooms. For example, Bird's Nest ferns provide a soothing contrast to the heavily spotted leaves of Paphiopedilum. Certain cactus and succulent plants can work equally well with orange and yellow blooms of Guarianthe (C.) aurantiaca and its hybrids to dramatic effect. While yew boughs may be useful in that they do not wilt during a show, they might not always be the best choice in terms of color or texture. Privet branches with leaves bronzed during cold autumn nights might be a more effective alternative. Selected plant material including pumpkins, corn stalks, birch bark or even dried tree leaves have been used to illustrate a theme. Imagine flat dried oak leaves used as novel plant labels. Some ideas may not be as persuasive on show day so it pays to have a trial run beforehand. To avoid disappointment, always check the show guidelines to be certain that what you plan falls will not be disqualified.

Floral designs

Many orchid shows have categories for amateur and professional floral designs that feature orchids. Artificial flowers may or may not be permitted. Dyed blooms are often a no-no. Class definitions may specify an arrangement of only orchids or there may be the proviso that orchids predominate in the design. Some orchids including Aranda, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, and Oncidium are particularly useful while large white Cattleya-type blooms and elegant sprays of Phalaenopsis are popular in bridal categories.

Aranda and related vandaceous blooms - Long-lasting and available in a range of warm sunset shades from pink through golds and orange, stems often carry more than a dozen blooms. These can be used with a range of contrasting plant material and to great effect.

Cymbidium - Available as either single blooms or as cut sprays, popular shades of green, pink, rose and white are used in classic and novel designs.

Dendrobium - Phalaenopsis-types and cane-types are available in a range of colors from purple, pink and white to yellows, golds, greens and rose shades. Phalaenopsis types work well on their own with contrasting foliage while the cane-type blooms can be incorporated with equally exotic plant material including Heliconia or Torch Ginger.

Oncidium - We see the Dancing Ladies everywhere and the flowers are not so long lasting but what an impact when sprays of bright yellow blooms are used to lighten a bouquet. These are particularly effective with forced branches, pussy willow and Red Osier Dogwood.

Phalaenopsis - As cut flowers they may wilt; a lot depends upon the substance and conditioning, but as flowering potted plants, they excel when grouped in a basket or when incorporated in a large design.

Backdrops and design

When a dramatic landscape effect is needed, what better way to achieve it than with a tastefully designed backdrop or mural. The scene can be fanciful or natural, a landscape or a woodland setting. Complimentary foliage plants such as palms and bromeliads can be used to draw out the theme. With few exceptions, orchids show best when shown with others of the same kind or of the same color. One Phalaenopsis placed in a sea of tulips or other showy non-orchid blooms appears lost. It becomes the 'lonely petunia' in the proverbial 'onion patch'. One massive Cymbidium however will easily dominate assorted patio plants. Think 'effect' to achieve that winning design.