Welcome

On behalf of the Orchid Society of Alberta, I wish to welcome one and all to the Orchid Society of Alberta’s 44rd Annual Orchid Show and Sale, “Orchid Fair 2024”.

Our American Orchid Society judged show is the largest in Canada, with 15,000 square feet of orchid displays and vendor sales tables. This year we will offer a great lineup of international and Canadian orchid vendors.

Orchids are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are nearly 30,000 known species of orchids in the world, and over one hundred thousand registered orchid hybrids, some of which will be on display at our show. Exhibitors will mount displays that will transform an empty room into a tropical paradise with hundreds of orchids of every shape, size and color imaginable.

The Orchid Fair show area will give the public the opportunity to view, admire and photograph hundreds of the best plants from our local growers, visiting societies and orchid vendors. The very best plants and displays will receive ribbons and trophies from the Orchid Society of Alberta. The team of accredited judges from the American Orchid Society will judge the plants on display and where the flower quality merits, a prestigious American Orchid Society award will be given.

The vendor area will offer a huge selection of orchid plants for purchase offered by Canadian, and international vendors. There will be easy growing plants for the beginner and exotic plants for the experienced grower. Orchid growers and vendors are always eager to answer orchid questions and to advise new orchid growers in the selection of a plant that is right for their growing conditions.

Be sure to attend some of the speaker sessions with topics of interest to the beginner and expert grower alike.

Check our website orchidsalberta.com for details.  On behalf of the Orchid Society of Alberta Executive and Show Committee, I would like to welcome all to the show.

Darrell Albert

Show Chairperson

Orchid Society of Alberta

Orchid Society of Alberta - Background Information

The Orchid Society of Alberta (OSA) was founded in Edmonton in 1976 to promote the preservation and culture of orchids through the dissemination of information. The OSA currently has a membership of over 200 people. The members are orchid growers, both hobbyists and commercial growers, of diverse backgrounds who share an interest in growing and preserving orchids. Our members include the young and old, beginners and veterans, windowsill growers, artificial light growers and greenhouse growers. We have joined together to promote the hobby and share our orchid growing experiences and information.

Show Schedule 2024 final.pdf

Show Admission $10.00 per day

Children under 12 years Free

Free Parking

Show Rules and Regulations

• This is an open show that will be judged in accordance with the regulations and guidelines set out in the American Orchid Society Handbook. Anyone who wishes to exhibit must do so in accordance with the schedule and rules as set forth herein.

• Exhibits and plant entries will be received at the Enjoy Centre, 101 Riel Drive, St. Albert, Alberta on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

• All exhibit entry requests must be received no later than March 15, 2024. Efforts will be made to accommodate last-minute entries, but no guarantees of space can be made without early registration. All display space will be allotted on a first come, first served basis. Contact Jim Wallbank at  jim.wallbank@gmail.com for exhibit space.

• No displays, items in displays or vendor sales table product may be removed before 4:00 pm, Sunday, March 24, 2024 without prior approval of the Show Chairperson. All plant, display and vendor packing materials must be removed by no later than 6:00 pm, Sunday, March 24, 2024.

• Plants or flowers may be added or exchanged in a display ONLY after all judging is completed. The replacement plant must be of the same high quality as the original plant.

• AOS Judging will begin at 8:30 am and ribbon Judging will begin at 9:00 am on Friday, March 22, 2024. Only AOS Judges, Clerks and Assistants will be permitted in the show area while AOS judging is in progress. AOS judging Clerks and Assistants can sign up on the volunteer sheets at regular monthly meetings or contact Ben Rostron, 780-434-3839 or benrostron123@gmail.com.

• The Judging Chairperson may, in consultation with the Show Chairperson, establish new classes for flower entries, give special awards when necessary, or withhold any scheduled awards if entries are not deserving. The Judges may also change the class of entry, if, in their opinion, a plant is not properly entered. Decisions of the Judges and rulings of the Show Chairperson will be final.

• All plants must be clearly and visibly labeled. Unlabeled plants or unknown hybrids will not be eligible for AOS judging. All previous AOS awards must be listed on the plant entry form and the plant name tag. Exhibitors will remain anonymous during judging and exhibits will not be identified until judging is complete.

• It is understood that a fee is charged by the AOS for each AOS award granted. The Online Fee Payment is $40.00 USD ($60.00 USD for Non-AOS Members) and must be paid by the owner of the awarded plant. Printed Certificates are $10.00 USD. In addition, CBR and CHM awards require that specific detailed flower photographs be taken and sent to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Florida for species identification.

• It is required that all exhibitors inspect their plants for insects, fungal, viral and bacterial infections, etc. before bringing them to the display area. The Show Chair reserves the right to reject and remove any infested, diseased or otherwise unsuitable entries.

• The Show Chair reserves the right to reject any late entries or declare them as non-competitive.

• All plants must be grown and flowered by the exhibitor in their own home or greenhouse for a minimum of six (6) months in order to be eligible for all cultural awards. Flower quality ribbons and awards will be given irrespective of length of ownership.

• Trophies to be awarded provided plant material or display are deserving.

• Suitable steps will be taken to protect all materials, but the Orchid Society of Alberta and The Enjoy Centre will not be responsible for lost, missing, or damaged plants, props, art objects, or any other material.

• The Show Chair reserves the right to temporarily remove any plant, art object or any other material from a display for judging, advertising or promotional purposes.

• Smoking is NOT permitted anywhere in the building.