Curious about orchid shows

[gardenguysorchids]

Why is it so many OS are so unfriendly? The one I joined a few months ago is very clique-ish. After attending 3 meetings and and being more or less ignored I joined just to make sure anyother new visitors/potential members would not be ignored. I love orchids more than societies or ribbons. I would hate to think that a potential orchid enthusiast would loose interest in growing orchids just because of a few insecure snobbish people. I think the problem in my society is that the old die-hards that run it are scared to death that someone might join who will take ribbons away from them. Since I joined there have been several new visitors that have become members because of me. We now have our little clique. LOL

[Vmax]

You know, Bill, you bring up an excellent point. If I want my OS to be more friendly, I should be the one to start.... I may have to find out if the local group is still in existence, attend and start a revolution!!

[Vmax]

WEE!

I took my Iwanagaara Apple Blossom "Mendenhall" and my Paphiopedilum delanatii, along with a couple of others, to the recent Heart O' Texas Orchid Show for the judging. The Apple Blossom got a blue ribbon and the delanatii got a white ribbon . Jeffrey, I turned the AB everyday by a quarter of a turn and the blossoms filled in the spike so nicely! I was floored and thrilled. There were a staggering number of beautiful orchids at the show...and of course, from the sale portion of the show I lugged a couple extra home with me..... Just wanted to share the thrill with you all.

[jeffrey6115]

Why is it so many OS are so unfriendly? The one I joined a few months ago is very clique-ish. After attending 3 meetings and and being more or less ignored I joined just to make sure anyother new visitors/potential members would not be ignored. I love orchids more than societies or ribbons. I would hate to think that a potential orchid enthusiast would loose interest in growing orchids just because of a few insecure snobbish people. I think the problem in my society is that the old die-hards that run it are scared to death that someone might join who will take ribbons away from them. Since I joined there have been several new visitors that have become members because of me. We now have our little clique. LOL

I must have been fortunate to have found such a nice society then. Was it because I was introduced by a long time member, I don't know. I did however show them I could grow and bloom orchids well. Now I'm one of the people they come to to get plants for the shows. I can't imagine a society like you describe.

[pavel]

Why is it so many OS are so unfriendly? I would hate to think that a potential orchid enthusiast would loose interest in growing orchids just because of a few insecure snobbish people. I think the problem in my society is that the old die-hards that run it are scared to death that someone might join who will take ribbons away from them.

I suspect there's a number of issues.

First and foremost, the size of the os may itself be part of the problem. My first OS was a small group while both of the "cold fish" ones are both large -- 2-3X bigger. Smaller groups, I believe, take notice of new comers more quickly and are more likely to actively engage new folks in conversation. In a large OS, it is easier for new people to be overlooked and ignored -- both accidently and not. In talking to a few other folks from other OS's I've met at shows, this seems to be a very common phenomenon.

Another difference -- my old os was mainly comprised of folks growing on their window sills or other small grow areas. Very few had greenhouses. The two 'unfriendies', however, were heavily weighted toward greenhouse growers. (Not that I'm trying to knock any of our greenhouse folks here! ) So when show-and-tell time at an OS meeting comes around or plants are needed for shows, small homey OSs appreciate the plants that other home hobbyists are able to grow and need to get as many members involved as possible at showtime to put on a decent display. Greenhouse heavy OSs are more likely to be used to seeing large specimen-sized plants and, for those who have had a greenhouse for many years, to have lost sight of the challenges a small grow area hobbist faces and hence lack appreciation for the small growers triumphs. Whether such an attitude, where it exists, is snobbery or just thoughtlessness could be argued either way.

The 'oldtimers' factor you mentioned, Bill, I think may also play a role if those follks are the no nonsense types. Some of the oldtimers I have met are terribly serious about orchid discussions. By 'serious' I mean that they don't seem to have time or patience for light-hearted discussions on orchids or even idle chitchat at an OS meeting -- they're pretty much 'all business'. If an OS is predominantly made up of such folks, that OS can very well come across as 'unfriendly'. In contrast, 'oldtimers' who have a more light outlook, can be a great fount of help and information.