NCOS International Orchid Show & Sale 2026
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
National Capital Orchid Society 2026 International Show & Sale
Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20
Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Countdown to the Show & Sale
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NCOS International Orchid Show & Sale 2026
Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20
Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, Maryland
We are thrilled to share that the National Capital Orchid Society International Show and Sale has a new home for 2026 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
From September 18–20, 2026, orchid lovers from across the Mid-Atlantic and around the United States are invited to experience one of the largest orchid shows on the East Coast! The show promises to be bigger and better than ever, with 5,000 square feet of exhibits and vendors with an unparalleled selection of orchids for every level of grower.
This year’s international vendor lineup showcases an extraordinary range of orchids and tropical plants, with committed vendors traveling from across the United States and around the globe.
ORCHID VENDORS
- Bredren Orchids (Florida)
- Ecuadorquideas (Ecuador) *Accepting preorders
- Ecuagenera (Ecuador) *Accepting preorders
- Florida Orchid House (Florida)
- Hamakua Orchid Exchange (Hawaii)
- J&L Orchids (Connecticut)
- Jairak Orchids (Thailand)
- Magic Oasis Orchids (Canada) *Accepting preorders
- Miranda Orchids (Brazil)
- MundiFlora (Ecuador) *Accepting preorders
- Monster Island Orchids (New York)
- Oceanside Orchids at Sunset Valley Orchids (California)
- Orchid Classics (Virginia)
- Orchid Nerd Supplies (New Jersey)
- Phrao Orchids (Thailand)
- Taida Orchids (Taiwan)
- Ten Shin Gardens (Taiwan)
- Tropical Exotique (Thailand) *Accepting preorders
- Wade’s Orchids (Pennsylvania)
- Waldor Orchids (New Jersey)
- White Plains Orchids (New York)
Collectors can look forward to rare species, new hybrids, and show-quality plants and supplies, along with a full weekend of orchid excitement under one roof!
Stay tuned—more details coming soon!
* PREORDER NOTE: To request preorder plant offerings and information, please contact the vendors directly. Please note that you must purchase admission to the Show & Sale to pick up preorders in person.
SHOW DATES AND TIMES
Friday, September 18 – 12:00 PM-6:00 PM
Saturday, September 19 – 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Sunday, September 20 – 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
NEW LOCATION!
Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Building 6, Hall 3, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Educational Talks on Saturday, September 19
All educational talks will take place in the NCOS Show & Sale Educational Area.
10:30 am How to Choose the Right Orchid with Ken Meier of the National Capital Judging Center and Orchid Enterprise
Learn how to successfully choose and grow common orchids at home, with practical guidance on light, watering, repotting, pest management and propagation. Bring your orchid-growing questions!
12:00 pm Native North American Orchids and Their Pollinators (Pollinator Cam!) with Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Resource Center (SERC)
Explore native U.S. and Canadian orchids and the pollinators they depend on. See fun videos of pollinators visiting orchids and learn how a specially designed camera system helps researchers study orchid pollination in action.
1:30 pm Native Orchids of the United States & Canada - A Field Guide with Dennis Whigham, Smithsonian Environmental Resource Center (SERC)
Discover the native orchids of the United States and Canada through a look at a new field guide featuring more than 200 species. Learn about their identification, distribution, ecology and conservation.
3:00 pm What’s Bugging Your Plants? with Barbara Fennelly, NCOS
Learn how to keep your orchids healthy with practical guidance on proper culture, identifying common problems and managing insect, fungal and bacterial issues. You’ll also learn how to recognize signs of virus and the methods used to test orchids for viruses.
Educational Talks on Sunday, September 20
All educational talks will take place in the NCOS Show & Sale Educational Area.
10:30 am Growing and Repotting Cattleyas with Beth Davis, Waldor Orchids
Learn how to successfully grow Cattleyas, with tips on culture and care, an introduction to the different groups of Cattleyas and a repotting demonstration.
12:00 pm The Indoor Growing Playbook: Growing Great Orchids Without a Greenhouse with Cam Mackey, NCOS and American Orchid Society (AOS)
Learn how to successfully grow orchids indoors using grow tents and LED lighting, with practical tips, lessons learned, common mistakes to avoid and trusted resources for reliable advice. Take away useful ideas and greater confidence to improve your orchid growing, whatever your experience level or growing space.
1:30 pm What's With Those Orchid Names? with Dr. Clark Thomas Riley, NCOS and MOS
What’s with those orchid names? At first, they may seem strange, but understanding them opens the door to the fascinating history and culture behind these remarkable plants. Handout provided.
