A Wonderful Weekend at the 2026 Deep Cut Orchid Show

Photography by Jeff Tryon

The 2026 Deep Cut Society Orchid Show was held February 20–22 at Dearborn Market in Holmdel, New Jersey. It was an exciting weekend filled with beautiful plants and great learning opportunities.

Hundreds of blooming orchids were on display, showcasing an incredible variety of colors, shapes, and fragrances. I participated in the Central Jersey Orchid Society display, exhibiting three of my blooming plants. Several other orchid societies created impressive exhibits as well. The displays by the Deep Cut Orchid Society and the South Eastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society (SEPOS) were especially large, featuring hundreds of plants arranged with dramatic fallen logs and water features that gave the feeling of a natural habitat.

Every plant in the display area was clearly labeled, which made it easy to identify a plant you admired and then visit the vendors to see if something similar was available for purchase.

The vendor area featured thousands of orchids for sale, along with supplies and specialty plants. Vendors included Waldor, Ecuagenera, Silvas, Taida, and others.

I came home with four Catasetum-alliance plants—deciduous orchids native to Central and South America—and three specialty Phalaenopsis, each with a lovely, perfume-like fragrance. There were many other tempting plants, including some beautiful Vandas, but my budget and growing space are already full.

The Deep Cut Orchid Society, which hosts the show, is an educational nonprofit and the largest, most active orchid club in the New York metro area. Their annual show and sale draws exhibitors and vendors from around the world.

It is always a wonderful show to attend and well worth the trip.