ACTIVITIES AT THE SHOW

Demo Schedule - Click Here

Exhibitors and Vendors List

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is an exciting mix of new vendors and exhibitors with those who make the Show an annual tradition. Click Here for a list of participants.

Art Show and Demonstrations

A juried exhibition of orchid-themed fine art and photography showcases the work of local and regional artists. Art demonstrations by local artists provide an intriguing overview of the artistic process.

Floral Arrangements & Corsages

Local floral artisans create unique, themed floral arrangements and corsages using orchid blooms. Orchid corsages are also available for purchase in the Exhibit Hall.

Orchid Culture Demonstrations

Orchid experts will lead demonstration workshops on raising healthy orchids. Leading growers will offer growing tips and provide common sense advice about how to solve pest, potting and fertilization problems. They will answer frequently asked questions such as: Why won’t my orchids bloom? How do I repot my orchids? How do I treat snails, mealy bugs and scale? Do I need to fertilize my orchids? They will also demonstrate techniques and answer individual questions.

Orchid Virus

Everett Stockstill, president of the Torrance Cymbidium Society 'Ohana (family) for 24 years and Cymbidium grower for 35 years, will talk about orchid viruses and cover such topics as: What are the most common orchid viruses, and what are the symptoms? How do I test for viruses in my orchids? What should I do if I find some of my orchids have virus? Is it curable? Answers to these and other questions about identifying and containing virus will be covered at 1 pm each day of the Show. If you have an orchid that you suspect has virus, bring it to the presentation and Everett Stockstill will teach you how to test for virus (limit one per person). Don't bring the whole plant; bring a single leaf in a sealed plastic bag.

The Orchid Doctor, Lance Birk

Internationally known expert orchid grower, author, botanist, plant collector, photographer and adventurer Lance Birk will be available daily in the Earl Warren Exhibit Hall throughout the show weekend to answer your orchid questions and sign copies of his book “The Paphiopedilum Grower’s Manual.” Birk is also the author of “The Last Orchid Hunter,” which is based on his 25 years as an adventurer combing the topics during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s in search of rare orchid species to document their habitat conditions and locations and to collect plants for further study. During his travels he discovered an ancient, lost Mayan city and many new and some previously thought-to-be extinct plant species. He also encountered renegade jungle military forces and armed pirates, experienced airplane crashes, extreme weather conditions and deadly diseases, and contended with rival jungle hunters in a race to find rare and exotic orchids.