NOTE: All parcels of cut orchid flowers sent to regional judgings in California must be marked on outside of package: "Cut Orchid Blooms." Otherwise the post office opens and inspects the package and in doing so often damages the flowers.

Suggestions for Shipping Cut Flowers

The AOS does still accept cut flowers for judging. That's the first and most important point. The problem, of course is getting them to the judging center in their best condition. There are several methods, depending on the time of year and the type of flower.

If you have a one-sided flower, such as a Paph, you can put it face up in the box and pack around it. However, a flower such as a Cattleya, or a stem with many Dendrobiums or Cymbidiums would be a different matter. You should start with looking at one of the USDA websites:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/Tropical/cutflowers.htm

I found this and it has almost too much information, but if you read it, you can glean some good hints. The first one is to put the stem of the flower in a tube of water (maybe even water with some floral preservative in it). Then the flower should be cushioned in lots of shredded cellophane (from the florist supply, or even some paper supply places). Then you have to secure it in a box that is big enough that the flowers won't be damaged by hitting the sides of the box. Then, depending on the time of year, I would include a cold or hot pack, not next to the flowers, but in the box to keep some cool or warm air around the flowers. It should probably be taped down so it doesn't shift during shipment. Make sure everything in the box is secured so it can't move!!

You should then ship your flowers overnight to arrive in time for judging. Many judgings are on Saturday, so you should probably have the flowers arrive the day before. If the judging is on a weekday, you could arrange for them to arrive the day of judging. Choose a center that has judging at the proper time for your blooming flowers and go for it!!

Taylor Slaughter

 2007-8 JUDGING Schedule of Events

11/10/07 (9AM) - Orchid Society of California Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Drive, Lake Merrit, Oakland Judging Chairman: Terry Boomer

1/4/08 (7PM)- Peninsula Orchid Society Show. Community Activities Center, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City. Judging Chairman: C. Todd Kennedy

1/26/08 (9 AM) - Santa Cruz Orchid Society Show. Soquel High School, 401 Old San Jose Rd., Soquel. Judging Chairman: Scott Collins

2/2/08 (8 AM) - Sonoma County Orchid Society Show. Veteran's Memorial Bldg, 1351 Maple St., Santa Rosa. Judging Chairman: . AOS @ 1:00PM

2/28/08 (9:00 AM) - Pacific Orchid Exposition, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. Judging Chairman: Maynard C. Michel

2/28/08 - Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. Earl Warren Showgrounds, Exhibit Bldg., Highway 101 and Las Positas Rd. Santa Barbara. AOS @ 1:00PM

3/29/08 (9 AM) - Santa Clara Valley Orchid Society Show. Westgate Shopping Center. Judging Chairman: Weegie Caughlan.

TBA (6 PM) - Malahini Orchid Society. Vallco Fashion Park, 10123 N. Wolfe Rd., Cupertino. Judging Chairman: Dennis Olivas.

TBA- Carmel Orchid Society. Crossroads Shopping Center, Carmel. Judging Chairman: Scott Collins.