Pacific Orchid Exposition

So many beautiful orchids and other beautiful flowers. Parking was difficult but they had wonderful shuttle service. Food was awesome but expensive.
My 3 star rating has to do with the people out front tricking people into signing up for a life time of junk mail and Robo calls.
Also the people coming to the event were pushy and aggressive. Not sure why they couldn’t just be there to enjoy the flowers and expect that that is what everyone else was there to do too.
So orchid show thumbs up but try to go late in the day if you do not want to get pushed around and actually spend time admiring the beautiful wonders of nature.

Disappointing
I have been attending the POE gala since 1996 and look forward to it every year. I hope this isn’t a trend.
I found the 2014 event to be much less than I have experienced in the past. The highlight of the show, the extraordinary displays that make it so special, were missing (for the first time) and the award winners were tucked away. The selection of plants for purchase was also more limited.
Even the staff seemed overworked and stressed-​out.

Absolutely GORGEOUS orchids abound at the Pacific Orchid Expo!
This was our 1^st year & our expectations were completely blown away! Not only are there a plethora of beautiful orchids on display from professional orchid growers from all over the US, there are also an abundance of educational lectures from experts in the field — something for the eyes and the brain!
We dropped into a talk on miniature orchids that was unfortunately way above our heads (as we are complete novices) — but as we were leaving that discussion, we lucked into this beginners talk about how to properly re-​pot your orchid & it covered each kind of plant to ensure minimal trauma to the orchid
We have only owned what we considered the «standard» orchid — Phalaenopsis & were completely unfamiliar w/​the care for anything else! But this mini-​seminar covered it all!
The display area ranged from miniature to huge blooms, from flowery fragrant to spicy fragrant (did someone say orchids that smell like CHOCOLATE?!); from easy-​to-​care-​for to fussy-persnickety…there was something for everyone & at all levels of growing expertise
Orchids themselves had been imported from all over… Hawaii, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Paupua New Guinea — there was so much diversity & each lovely flower was just as breathtaking as the next
Then, after feasting our eyes on the lovely displays, there is a huge back area dedicated to sales so we too, can bring home some of the beauty we have witnessed…
The vendors were nice as could be & would answer lots of questions about whether a potential lovely would be suitable for your home situation — for example, our bldg doesn’t get direct sunlight, only indirect so how would that affect our options?
We ended up spending about 3 hours there & could have spent way more time — there were docent tours & other lectures that sounded totally interesting & fingers crossed, our little take-​home babies will like their new home & will be around for next year’s show
’Cause, this will DEF be a yearly event not to be missed!

Gorgeous orchids everywhere and tons of the exotic kinds you don’t see often. My bf and I brought my parents after a lovely brunch on the last Sunday of the show. Parking was a little hard to find but the area is so beautiful we didn’t mind the walk to burn off some of our meal.
My only gripe about this expo is that more than half of it is filled with vendors selling similar orchids. The prices weren’t even exceptional; my parents said they can get a better deal elsewhere, like at Home Depot.

I love going to the POE every year as orchids are a hobby of mine. This years theme was East Meets West and in my opinion it was by far the best display/​theme they’ve had thus far. I love looking at the many arrangements of the beautiful orchids from all over the world.
If you’re looking to buy orchids, this is the place to be. They sell so many different types of orchids including rare orchids. Although they sell the typical ones that you find at Lowes, Home Depot, and the grocery stores, you will still be able to find so many different varieties.

It is a breathtaking show with orchids from around the world. I decided just to look this time because the man who I talked to the last time was wrong; the orchids I bought did not live to see another bloom.
This year I was in luck I got a free spot along the drive was to the get. If your not as lucky and ff you can even get in the parking lot, use my method listen at the end of my last review. It works every time.

Hubby and I purchased our tickets online several days prior to the event. Saved $ 2.00 per ticket online, but then had to pay $ 1.50 service fee per ticket. But there was a Facebook «like» promo code so we got 10% off. How much did we finally save? Not much.
Tickets at the door was &15.00 unless you’re were a senior. Then it was $ 12.00.
I like orchids in general, but having viewed the various species and the exhibitor displays, I loved it. Vibrant colors and all types of orchids. Small and large, domestic and exotic. The theme was the Golden Gate Bridge so many of the displays had a 3D replica of the GG Bridge.
Exhibits in the front, and orchids for sale further back.
If you plan to buy, a shopping bag would be wise as some vendors don’t offer them. There are some assembled cardboard boxes for sale.
Parking available on the premises, but because there are various events being held simultaneously at Fort Mason, we found it easier to park at Marina Middle School. Paid $ 10 event parking, and walked over to Fort Mason. Like 2 – 3 blocks.
Great outing for orchid enthusiasts and non enthusiasts alike. Bring your camera or smartphone. You’re bound to click away.

Went to the 2011 Expo, very awesome, wonderful variety of Orchids, exotic breeds, etc. Very good ! Parking could have been better though.

I got to go this year! My sister sent me a groupon for this event a week before it opened. I seriously had NO IDEA what would be in store for me when I got there.
I was horrified if it was going to be lame and boring. I was proven wrong very quickly. As I walked to the pavilion many people were leaving with their large pots and boxes of beautiful orchids.
As soon as I walked through the door I was met with a packed pavilion. So many people bustling through to see the beautiful orchids and the outlandish presentation. I have to say that the presentation of the orchids were just GORGEOUS. Purple orchids, white orchids, multicolored orchids, there were so many and so beautiful.
As my mom and I walked down the line, many orchids sellers also set up shop there. I even got to smell an orchid! The smell of coconuts it was. I never knew that there were orchids that exuded smells. This is a photo-​op every time you turn your head.
I definitely recommend coming here with someone that knows and appreciates plants.

Purchased two pairs of Groupons and took my mom as well as my boyfriend and his mom. Finding the exhibit was difficult since there were no signs and the farmers market was going on so people were everywhere. We were pointed to a few directions but finally realized it was in the far back corner. Good thing I wore my rain boots because I mildly splashed through the puddles.
The day was great because we dropped our moms off so they didn’t have to walk far since there weren’t any spots close to the entrance. This gave me and my honey a chance to order from Roli Roti and indulge in a few samples while walking around the Farmers Market.
Once we reached the exhibit, it was pretty easy to get in. The line flowed easily and the exhibit itself was much better than I expected. We both aren’t very orchid-​y but our moms loved it! The first section was separated to just displays which were amazing and the other half were orchid growers and sellers. Some orchids were expensive but thats a given since orchids are such beauties. Our moms bought a few orchids and stashed them away in the orchid housing area. Donations for boxes were $ 1 each which was pretty fair for the convenience they provided.
Everyone was very friendly, vendors were very informative and not pushy and the crowd on Sunday was crazy! SO many people! I probably wouldn’t go again because I can’t raise orchids. but if they ever host a vegetable exhibit I would totally be there! Veggies are my specialty. Since it’s near Fort Mason, it’s near the Golden Gate Bridge. What a lovely surprise :)!

Knowing this is one of the major orchid exposition I have really expected the worst — super crowded venue and long lines to get it. At the end it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Finding a parking spot still took us a while but it wasn’t terrible in any means. Got there in the Sunday afternoon and a lot of people are already leaving. Checking in was simple and there were no lines at all.
The exhibition hall was indeed quite busy but not too jammed. I was able to get a lot of nice photos without having to fight for a good spot with other photographers. There were tons of lovely and exquisite orchids that I have never seen in my life. I don’t even know orchid comes in THIS many varieties. This is definitely something to see if you like flowers. More reason to come if you are into photography.
The vendor hall was a bit chaotic. It was quite crowded with people rubbing shoulders against each other. I didn’t spend too much time there since I really just come here for the photos.
A pretty good event overall. Could easily kill a few hours here. I would recommend this event if you are not much of a orchid grower. The stunning beauties are totally worth your time. The half off Groupon deal makes this event even more attractive.

I can’t even begin to tell you how badly you need to go to the Pacific Orchid Exposition next year!
If you have a tangential interest in plants, flowers, pretty things or stuff that smells good, you need to head over to the largest gathering of orchids in the world! (I might be embellishing, but it is an astounding number of flowers)
Although parking is a hassle (hint: always go to the neighborhood to park in the city, I know, you all hate me), the location of the piers is an incredible setting. There is an entry fee, but it is reasonable if you buy online beforehand.
They take up an entire warehouse with displays and sales of every kind of orchid you can imagine. Half the area is displays; they have islands of plants, including some tropical non-​orchids and trees, with displays of literally thousands of orchid plants.
They are everywhere, on the ground, in the air, hanging and hiding behind glass. There are teeny tiny orchids, and even tinier ones still, with micro flowers that seem to hang on threads. There are giant ones with flowers the size of your face, that smell amazing. The perfumes of some varieties make you intoxicated with their spell. The vivid colors, patterns, shapes, sizes and sheer number of these plants and flowers is overwhelming.
The other half is sales, where even more thousands of plants await a bargain hunter’s dream. This is as close to wholesale as you get with non-​commercial varieties. The sellers have anything and everything, some specialize in a single variety, some are starters and others blooming. I got an outstanding one that has the deepest reds, maroons and blacks on a dozen flowers that almost makes me cry every time I see it (let’s hope I don’t kill it).
Watch out of all the photogs, they get a little pushy, as everyone else seems to get around these amazing, spell-​binding wonders of nature. Make an appointment for yourself next March, you’ll be kicking yourself again this time next year if you don’t.

Orchid heaven. Ethereal and enchanting. Amazing photo ops.
Prices are a tad inflated (as expected) and parking is a bit rough but if you keep those things in mind. the expo is worth the trip. Try to find parking alongside the bay b/​c the Fort Mason Center parking lot tends to fill up quickly.
You can learn which orchid variety will thrive depending on where you live and also how to properly care for them. Orchids are high maintenance, picky about their environment.
My mom and I are committed to coming back again next year.

Quick Summary:
— Pricing is OK. It’s an expo; expect to pay the norm or maybe a tad bit higher. If you’re good at negotiating prices, go for it.
— Availability and Choices: First come, first serve people. Expect most of the good and more beautiful orchids to take off by first day of the event. People LOVE their orchids.
— Bring a camera. Any camera. If you dont got a camera, you have a cellphone camera; USE IT.
— If you have allergies, take your medication before you come in. Seriously.
Enough said. To this date, the P.O.E. is the best floral exhibition i’ve been to so far. Entrance fee is $ 14. Well worth the cost. I love going here. Even if you dont like flowers and orchids, you just cant but help appreciate the beauty of what lies within the expo.

This is a great event for anyone who can appreciate orchids whether you’re an expert or a beginner. The expo seems to grow each year as there were many displays from vendors located throughout the US as well as a few international submissions.
The front half of the pavilion is dedicated to displays. It’s spacious with lots of walking room so you don’t have to worry about blocking anyone while they’re taking pictures. This year’s theme was «Green with Envy» and many entrants incorporated this by giving tips on how to reduce, reuse, recycle (etc) while gardening.
If you end up making a purchase from the back half, which is dedicated to plant sales, you will need to exit the show from the side doors. Since most of the vendors were from the Bay Area so I made sure to get their business info to visit their nurseries in the future. Each vendor specializes in a different type of orchid so it doesn’t take long to find what you’re looking for.
In the sale area, you can find rare, collection orchids not normally sold in stores but they come at a price. Some vendors are willing to bargain so it doesn’t hurt to try. I thought the prices at the show was a little higher than prices at the farmer’s market (or nurseries) so I held off on buying anything I knew could find elsewhere.
Beautiful show! See you next year!
oh – be careful where you park, I got a ticket. along with 20+ other cars around me.

I wasn’t a big fan of orchids…
until this expo.
We had just finished a late brunch and were wandering around the area on a beautiful day. Decided to drop by the expo, after being intrigued by the never-​ending ant line of people coming out of the building with one (or more) potted plants in hand.
Mind you, I’ve never been interested in flower expos before. And this was 4pm on Sunday, with an hour left of the four day expo. With a decent entrance fee.
It was absolutely worth it.
There were amazing display arrangements of orchids in the front half of the building, and all the vendors were in the 2^nd half. Flowers of all shapes and sizes and colors were everywhere (as were the hard core photographers with their macro lenses and $ 4000 digital SLRs).
Orchid prices were reasonable, and many of the display flowers can be bought from the owners directly (pick up after expo ends). The good thing about going on the last day is that a good number of the vendors are from Hawai’i and East Asia, and don’t exactly want to lug everything back home. So you can get a decent deal. The bad thing is some of the really amazing orchids are already sold.
Despite, this, I STILL ended up with not enough hands to hold the number of plants bought (thanks, ladies!). And I have to figure out how to make all the Catts bloom next year…
Conclusion?
Definitely worth going. But beware — you too may be sucked into orchid sub-​culture…

I’m a cut flower kinda girl… any other living botanical thing… i’ll kill it. oh yes I will… Not intentionally of course, but I just wasn’t born with a «green thumb»… So when L said let’s go to the Orchid Expo, first thought was meh… But hey, any opportunity to see something new in SF and any opportunity to take photos, I’m THERE!
Expo was set up at Fort Mason… Big warehouse style building… Lots of exhibits with really weird iron animals… but the orchids were simply amazing… I never knew there were so many different types and color variations…
After a while though, they all start to look the same…
Even though I’m not a flower type of girl, I walked away with 4 orchids in total… a 3 orchid arrangement for casa de EJ and one large orchid for mama lee…
Minus one star for the lighting… Bad natural lighting… bad…

Beautiful BEAUTIFUL orchids… Sam and I hit up this place so he can find some purdy little flowers. We ended up walking out with two gorgeous plants that are now happily sitting on the kitchen table.
Do be aware… me being the typical cheap asian unwilling to shell out for parking, we parked on the Marina, and had to walk our poor orchids over. Keep in mind that the best place to fly your kite is in the Marina… I’m surprised that our orchids made it back with all the blooms still attached…

This is one of my favorite annual events & I hope Unilocaling it doesn’t make it busier than it already is.
If words like cymbidiums, paphiopedilums, cattleyas, phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, vandas, masdevallias, zygopetalums, & oncidiums make your mouth water or nearly send you into convulsions, most likely you are an orchid addict.
Listen up. Fort Mason gets filled with thousands (I repeat: THOUSANDS!) of orchids. There are orchid awards & brilliant displays & you’re guaranteed something that you’ve never laid eyes on before & you can buy, buy, buy to your heart’s content. Even if you have never owned an orchid or perhaps have only murdered them in the past, this is the place to get great advice & start (over).
The POE (Pacific Orchid Exposition) is always held in February & begins on a Thursday for an evening Gala for $ 30-​$ 35 (dressing up, drinks & those fabulous plants!) & runs through Sunday. Regular tickets (non-​gala) are $ 12 & no, there are no discounts for going every single day & don’t be surprised if you want to.
If you know an orchid enthusiast who has never been, this is the place to take them. People seriously come from ALL OVER for this special occasion. If you go, it will become one of your favorite annual events, too. See you there!

Mr had a surprised for me past Saturday morning.
The weather was beautiful. I finally beg him to tell me where we going and he said Fort Mason. Once we get there, the place was packed with tourists and locals. Luckily, we found a street parking right when were about to the inevitable, pay for parking. *wink*
Once we reached Fort Mason, I was in HEAVEN. It was the Pacific Orchid Exhibition, my first time. (Thank you Babe)
The fee is $ 12, you can pay by cash or credit card. The Orchids were exquisite and beautiful. We ended up buying 4 different kinds orchids. (Actually Mr stopped me before I ended up becoming an orchid addict). We had a great time.