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The Show, the largest in New Jersey, will run from Thursday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at Dearborn Market's 11,000-square-foot greenhouse, Route 35, Holmdel.

Certified American Orchid Society judges will select the best of the best, and national awards will be given.

Deep Cut's 2nd Annual Photo contest is open to everyone. The person taking the best picture of a single flower at the show will receive a gift certificate from Dearborn Market, and the picture will be used in DCOS's 14th Annual Show brochure and ads. Entry forms will be available at Dearborn during the show.

The Show will be open Thursday, Feb. 4, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 & 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special group tours are available, and an orchid expert will guide the visitors around the Exhibit. Special tours must be pre-registered by calling Carol Abaya at 732-536-6215.

Faye Arnett, DCOS president, says everyone is welcome.

"Our show is a beautiful, colorful event in the middle of an often dreary and cold winter. The 25,000 species of orchids grow all over the world and today are more accessible than ever before. Supermarkets, home building supply stores, and even drug stores sell orchids at reasonable prices."

One visitor to last year's show walked into Dearborn's greenhouse and stopped short. Looking around at all the colors and shapes of the orchids, she said, "I don't know where to start. These are all so marvelous."

This year there will be exhibits from orchid clubs in the mid-Atlantic region and 12 vendors from all over, including Ecuador. Exhibits will be presented by the North Jersey Orchid Society, Sand Piper Orchid Society (south New Jersey), South Eastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society, Staten Island Orchid Society, Deep Cut Orchid Society, and Doran & Balletine (amateur growers in New Jersey).

Vendors are: Lois Duffin Orchids, Philadelphia; Main Street Orchids, Pa.; Orchidphile, CT.; Piping Rock Orchids, NY; Tewksbury Orchids, NJ; Waldor Orchids, NJ; Stony Brook Orchids, NJ; J&L Orchids, CT; Silva Orchids, NJ; New Earth Orchids, NJ; Hydro-Orchids, NJ; and Ecugenera, Ecuador.

Admission and parking are free. Inexpensive lunches will be available.

Anne and Dave Safarewitz of Middletown have been fascinated with orchids for more than 30 years. They have over 2,500 orchids, one of the largest private collections in the mid-Atlantic region.

Anne's first orchid was a Valentine's present from Dave. "We had stopped at a neglected greenhouse and I saw this plant. I just had to have it," Anne recalls. Anne named this white Cattleya "Be My Valentine" and decades later still has a descendent of that plant.

As Anne, a DCOS trustee, walks into one of their two greenhouses, she feels "relaxed. I am happy. I admire them. They are my beautiful babies."

A novice orchid collector, Carol Abaya of Marlboro is also awed by the diversity of shapes, sizes and colors. "Nature at its best, most unusual," she says. "When one sees dozens of flowers on one plant, one can only believe there is a superior being who brings light and joy to us all. Not only are the colors magnificent, but the flowers can last for months. Unlike other kinds of flowers."

Her multi-colored "Lady Slipper" with stripes and polka dots sits on the window sill over her sink. "Every time I have to wash dishes, I see this incredible flower and smile," she says.

DCOS meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. Each meeting has a speaker, a member show table and refreshments. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome.

For further information about the show call Faye Arnett at 732-786-8583 or Dearborn Market at 732- 264-0256 for directions.

– NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM