GROS 2026 Spring Show:
April 16 – 19, 2026
Our 50th Annual Orchid Show!

The GROS held our first Orchid Show in April of 1969 at the Garden Center of Rochester; we recorded some 225 visitors.. Many other of our annual shows of that era consisted of groups of orchids displayed on shelves, with little adornment or attempt to create a “natural” or artistic environment that is typical of orchid shows today.

In 1971, the club presented its show at Sibley’s – Rochester’s fabled flagship downtown department store, and over the years, we’ve held our annual Spring Shows at various locations around Rochester. By 1978, our show at the Garden Center was drawing over 1,800 people!

Our first show to feature American Orchid Society judging dates to 1980, when two plants received awards: Oncidum Purple Envy ‘Suzy’ AM/AOS and Phalaenopsis Spitzberg ‘Mrs. March’, HCC/AOS.

We are planning for our 50th annual orchid show to be our largest and most exciting ever! Watch this page for new details as they become available.

2026 Show Vendors

Show Volunteers

Members who want to sign up for various tasks at the Spring Show should use our Sign Up Genius feature. The link is here, or just use the QR code below.

sign up genius link image for 2026 - QR code

 2026 GROS Orchid Show Schedule *

  • Thursday, April 16, 2026
  • Registration of plants 10 a.m. – 4 pm.
  • Exhibit setup 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday, April 17, 2026
  • Ribbon judging, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • AOS award judging , 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Show open to the public, including vendor sales, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Show Reception & Awards Ceremony in the Eisenhart 6:00 – 8 p.m. **
  • **Purchase of tickets required; sales now closed.
  • Saturday, April 18, 2026
  • Show open to the public, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • 11 a.m.  Presentation: “A Beginner’s Guide to Orchids and How to Grow Them” – Dave Weiss
  • 12:30 p.m. Presentation: “Orchid Pests and Diseases – Critters & Crud” – Kim Hober
  • 2 p.m. Presentation:  “Where Can I Grow My Orchids?” – Natalie Auburn & Kyla Lester
  • Sunday, April 19, 2026
  • Show open to the public, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • 11 a.m. Presentation: “A Beginner’s Guide to Orchids and How to Grow Them” – Dave Weiss
  • 12:30 p.m. Presentation:  “Orchid Pests & Diseases – Critters & Crud” – Kim Hober
  • 2 p.m. Presentation: “Where Can I Grow My Orchids?” – Natalie Auburn & Kyla Lester

* Times/details subject to change as the Show date approaches.

Pre-Show Orchid Talks

These will all be general programs about orchids and orchid growing. Presented by Dave Weiss, GROS Community Outreach Chairman.

  • Tinker Nature Park – March 14, 2026 – Saturday, 10 am
  • Ogden Library – March 21, 2026 – Saturday, 2 pm
  • Briarwood/St. Johns – March 24, 2026 – Tuesday, 3 pm
  • Webster Library – March 28, 2026 – Saturday, 1 pm
  • Henrietta Library – April 7, 2026 – Tuesday, 10:30 am
  • Irondequoit Library – April 12, 2026 – Sunday, 1:30 pm

Orchid vendor display, 2025 GROS Spring Show

GROS club exhibit, 2025 GROS Spring Show

Orchid vendor exhibit, 2025 GROS Spring Show

Central NY Orchid Society exhibit, 2025 GROS Spring Show

Niagara Frontier Orchid Society exhibit, 2025 GROS Spring Show

Orchid vendor display, 2025 GROS Spring Show

Orchid vendor exhibit, 2025 GROS Spring Show

Orchid vendor display, 2025 GROS Spring Show