1. Take a box. Most growers have bags, some have small boxes, but if you
end up buying from several different growers, as most people do, it will be
easier for you to stage the plants for travel if you bring a box of your
own.

2. If you fall in love with a plant, _pick it up and buy it_. I can't tell
you how many times people have come back for a plant they saw on my tables
earlier in a show, only to find it gone. [I am considering plagiarizing a
sign one of my colleague/competitors carries: "I shoulda bought it when I
saw it."] In some cases, I have more back at the ranch [which can be a long
trip depending on the grower and the location of the show, but I've had
people do that several times, a couple of them driving 3-4 hours]; other
times, that was truly _the last one_, and there's nothing I can do for them.

3. Bring cash as well as checks or credit cards. Some small growers and
some of the foreign growers don't accept the latter at all, and all of us
appreciate cash [credit cards cost us a percentage, checks have to be
processed and cleared]. Plus if you take your budget in cash, you'll know
when you've spent it.

4. Bargains are great if they are _really_ bargains. But generally
speaking, if a plant is priced well below its market value, there's a
reason. With the foreign growers, it's usually the cost of shipping the
plants back home, and not a problem or defect in the plant. But a
professional domestic grower [one who's growing for a living, not just
supporting his or her hobby] can't afford to give away quality plants just
to avoid the inconvenience of carrying them home. So during your
bargain-hunting, _ask_ the grower why the plant is reduced in price.

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"TShnnn" wrote in message
...
This weekend near my house is an Orchid Show. It is an AOS show for the
state at a local mall.
I was thinking maybe I should get there early the first day- to get a
selection of the best orchids, then return on the last day- maybe for
some bargains from people who still have some left.
I have been collecting for a couple of years and have 20-30 orchids. I
grow them under a 400 watt MH in my basement, and let them bloom in a
bow window in my living room. I want to buy a few nice additions this
weekend.
Any suggestions for a first timer would be greatly appreciated!