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
Sponsor a Best-In-Show Award. Celebrate Excellence.
Celebrate the finest orchids in our community by sponsoring a Best-in-Show Award at this year’s Show & Sale. Your name, business, or a loved one’s memory will be recognized alongside the winning plant.
Each judging alliance is available to only one sponsor.
Cattleya · Paphiopedilum · Phragmipedium · Cypripedium · Dendrobium · Oncidium · Phalaenopsis · Pleurothallis · Vanda · Miscellaneous
Sponsorships are fully tax-deductible. Thank you for helping make our show bloom!
Use the form below to become a sponsor for the 2026 International Show & Sale.
Experience the World of Orchids at the NCOS Show & Sale
See. Shop. Discover.
Friday, September 18
Saturday, September 19
Sunday, September 20
The National Capital Orchid Society International Orchid Show & Sale has a new home for 2026—the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
From September 18–20, experience one of the largest orchid shows in the Mid-Atlantic, featuring spectacular orchid displays, 20 U.S. and international vendors offering an extraordinary selection of orchids and tropical plants, plus educational talks and demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Whether you’re an experienced grower, a new orchid enthusiast, or simply love beautiful plants, you’ll find plenty to see, shop, learn and discover.
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)
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!
* 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
Countdown to the Show & Sale
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
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.