How To Prep Orchids for Display And Judging

Laurie Nissen gave an informative and educational presentation to the Tampa Orchid Club about how to prep your orchids for display and/or judging. Below is a recap for member reference next time you are planning to display or enter your beautiful plants for judging.

How To Prep Orchids For Display

1. Begin prepping budding plants about a month ahead of time
   

2. Check for and remove weeds and old spikes. 
   

3. Cut dried or spent flower spikes down near the base. (Use cinnamon on cut.)
   

4. Clean all the leaves with lemon juice. 

   1. Get into the central veins and the the back of the leaves. 

   2. A cotton pad or soft cloth works better than a cotton ball.

   3. It may take a few times to get hard water residue off when cleaning.
      

5. If you have cattleya type orchids with dried sarong, remove by wetting it. 
   

6. Stake buds early and discreetly as possible

   1. Thin wire stakes work well. 

   2. Avoid bright clips.

   3. Floral tape - stretched out first or twists are best. 

   4. Green or brown clips might be used but should mostly be avoided except for when transporting your plant. You  want the judges to only see the plant and flowers and not be distracted by staking materials.
      

7. Once you stake, leave the plant in same direction towards the light so that the flowers align properly.
   

8. If Cattleya type buds are tightly clustered you will want to try to get them to separate some.  You can use a small piece of thin styrofoam (like from vegetable trays)  that you trim and notch in order to make a spacer or even a packing peanut may suffice. 
   

9. Lastly, be sure to label your name on the materials and plant you’re sending in and remove hangers if the plant is for a display.

We hope this list of tips and advice will come in handy for your next orchid display preparations. Happy blooming!

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