How Members and Non-Members Can Participate in the SDCOS Orchid Show

Updated

Members and non-members can both take part in the San Diego County Orchid Society (SDCOS) show in two ways: enter blooming orchids for exhibition and volunteer to help run the event. To exhibit, pre-register your plants using the show forms, use the show schedule to pick the correct section and class, and check plants in on Friday, October 23, from 2 PM–7 PM or Saturday, October 24, from 8 AM–9 AM. To volunteer, sign up through the volunteer link; volunteers receive redeemable coupons as a thank-you. The show itself runs Saturday, October 24, noon–6 PM (plant sales from 10 AM) and Sunday, October 25, 10 AM–4 PM in Room 101 and Patio A of Casa del Prado, Balboa Park, with free admission.

Key details at a glance

Item Detail
Who can participate Members and non-members (non-members explicitly invited)
What you can do Exhibit blooming orchids; volunteer at the show
Pre-registration Required for plants, using the provided forms (Word file preferred)
Class selection Use the show schedule to find the correct section and class
Plant check-in Fri 10/23, 2 PM–7 PM; Sat 10/24, 8 AM–9 AM
Volunteer sign-up Via the show's volunteer sign-up link
Volunteer perk Redeemable coupons
Show hours Sat 10/24 noon–6 PM (sales from 10 AM); Sun 10/25 10 AM–4 PM
Location Room 101 and Patio A, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park
Admission Free

Step 1: Pre-register your orchids

The society asks exhibitors to pre-register plants so the show runs smoothly. Use the registration form linked from the show page (a Word file is preferred). Before or while registering, open the show schedule PDF and identify the section and class that match each plant—this determines where your orchid is judged. Have your plant list ready before you start the form so you can assign each entry to the right class in one pass.

Expected result: a submitted registration listing each plant with its section and class.

Step 2: Check in your plants

Bring your plants to Casa del Prado during one of the two check-in windows:

  • Friday, October 23: 2 PM–7 PM
  • Saturday, October 24: 8 AM–9 AM

Check-in closes at 9 AM Saturday, so plan to arrive within a window rather than between them.

Step 3: Volunteer (optional)

The society also needs help running the show and invites non-members to volunteer alongside members. Sign up through the volunteer sign-up link on the show page. Volunteers receive redeemable coupons as a token of gratitude.

Common snags to avoid

  • Skipping the schedule: registering without matching plants to the correct section and class can put an entry in the wrong category.
  • Missing the check-in window: the latest window ends at 9 AM Saturday, before the show opens at noon.
  • Assuming the show is members-only: the exhibition call for plants and volunteers explicitly includes non-members; only the December holiday party is members-only.

Related SDCOS events

  • Monthly meetings: first Tuesday of each month, Room 101, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park; open to the public. The October 6, 2026 meeting features a 6:30 PM culture class on breeding predatory mites to fight pests and a main talk at 7:30–7:45 PM on orchid diversity in Andean miniatures.
  • Holiday party: Tuesday, December 2, members and one guest each only; sign-up is required to receive a gift plant.