The North Jersey Orchid Society Show was back this weekend in New Brunswick.

The show featured nearly 1,000 blooming orchids originating from all over the world of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Experts were also on hand to offer advice for watering, nutrition and lighting.

The event attracted people who all wanted to see orchids.

"You're gathering with people who are growing in the same geographic area as you and what they grow is what you'd be able to grow with success," said North Jersey Orchid Society Show Chair Carrie Buchman.

With nearly 25,000 known species and more than 250,000 hybrids, there's a lot to learn for orchid aficionados at the event.

"Basically, it's just get together to have a good time, celebrate your growing success. Every society has a plant table where we have wonderful blooming plants but we also talk about those dismal failures so we can all learn from each other and not make the same mistakes," Buchman explained.

From commercial exhibitors to local orchid societies, the event brings in people not only from New Jersey, but from across the world.

"I am here every year for the show. I bring plants from Taiwan," said Matthew Chen, who traveled 16 hours by plane from the central part of the country. He's been coming to the show for nearly eight years. He credits other orchid aficionados for the event's success.

As this year's event comes to an end on Sunday, organizers have 2024's show already on the mind.

"We start planning the following year show in about two weeks," Buchman said. "So lots going on and the planning does take that long."

The show, back for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue Sunday at the Douglass Student Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.