2026 MACPS Plant Awards
Show off
your prized carnivores and win!
The Mid-Atlantic Carnivorous Plant Society (MACPS) welcomes all paid members to submit their plants for our inaugural show at Havre De Grace MD October 17, 2026. Whether you're a professional grower or hobbyist, we encourage you to show off your best beauties and beasties and compete for prizes in a variety of categories! Entries are limited to three plants per category per member.
Eligibility and Rules for Participation
Who Can Enter?
All paid MACPS members are eligible to submit plants. Become a MACPS member today!
Entry Limit
Up to three plants per category per member.
Registration
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Fill out the plant registration form for each entry.
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Deadline: October 1st, 2026 at 11:59 pm.
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No day-of entries accepted.
Plant / Art / Photo Requirements
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Must be owned and grown by the submitting member.
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Must have been in your care for at least 6 months (before April 17th 2026).
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Artwork must be submitted as a physical print and displayed in a frame, easel, or other self-standing display.
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Photography must be submitted as a physical print and displayed in a frame, easel, or other self-standing display.
Support & Security
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Volunteers will assist with plant placement and monitor the display area.
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Plants will be monitored and observed by judges and the MACPS staff.
Judging Criteria
Show entries will be judged by a panel appointed by MACPS board members. Judging panel members will recuse themselves from participation in judging for any category in which they have submitted plants and are also ineligible for the Best in Show Award. Overall horticultural excellence will be the primary factor in judging, with secondary consideration for quality of presentation. Difficulty of cultivation will be considered when evaluating horticultural excellence. Plant rarity will not be considered.
Horticultural Excellence
(70 points)
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Form: Size, maturity, color, etc.
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Health: No diseases or pests; no blemishes from disease, pests, sunburn, etc.
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Difficulty: Examples of more difficult plants include Darlingtonia, Cephalotus, and ultra-highland Nepenthes.
Presentation
(30 points)
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Appearance: Overall aesthetics, including balance, proportions, contrast of plant and container, etc.
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Grooming: No dead leaves or flowers, no weeds, clean pot, etc.
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Artistry: Container complements plant, unobtrusive training/staking, topdressing, etc.
Categories
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Dionaea
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“Sundew”: Drosera and related sticky plants, including Drosophyllum, Roridula, and Byblis
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Pinguicula
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Sarracenia
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Nepenthes
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“Other” Pitcher Plant: Brocchinia, Cephalotus, Darlingtonia, and Heliamphora
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“Other” Carnivorous Plant: Aldrovanda, Utricularia, Genlisea, etc.
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Best in Show Award
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People’s Choice Award
New Categories
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Tallest Sarracenia Pitcher: Show off your prized winner for tallest sarracenia pitcher measured from rhizome to operculum.
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Largest Venus Flytrap: Give Audrey two a run for its money and submit your largest trap to be measured along the midrib for first prize! Only fresh traps are accepted and must remain attached to the plant at time of submission.
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Largest Nepenthes Pitcher: Submit your largest nepenthes trap measured from tendril base to lid, only fresh pitcher submissions accepted, must be connected to the plant at time of submission.
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Best Carnivorous Plant Photo: Show off your eye for carnivores and submit a photograph of any plant whether in the wild or in your home bog! Must be the submitter's photo. YOU MUST bring the physical copy of your photo in day of to be showcased to judges.
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Best Carnivorous Plant Artwork: grab your pencils, pens and paints or other media and show off your best creative art to win first place! Must be made by the submitting member! YOU MUST bring the physical copy of artwork in day of to be showcased to judges.
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Best Miniature Bog Planter: Show off your personal biome that showcases your skill in growing a blend of species and cultivars. Limit size 5 gallon.
Prizes
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded in every carnivorous plant category.
Two special awards will also be recognized with ribbons:
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Best in Show – receives a $100 gift card
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People’s Choice – receives a $50 gift card
Each 1st place winner in the 13 plant categories will also receive a $50 gift card in addition to their ribbon.