The Northern California locations are in Salinas , Watsonville , Morgan Hill and Gilroy . Breeders spend months and tens of thousands of dollars preparing for the annual 4-day event . Admission to these unique shows are usually limited by invitation to those in the industry , and not open to the general public . The shows are normally held in a greenhouse and are set up with the most unbelievably , magnificent floral displays of hundreds of different types of plants that breeders hope to become their next greatest best sellers .

To the untrained eye , many of the displays may look no different than their previous releases . Oftentimes , however , years of research are inside the plant that may make it more disease resistant , have longer lasting flowers , or stronger stems for better handling and distribution . An improved hybrid vegetable plant may offer new characteristics such as heat and disease resistance which leads to better yields . Danny Fiorio , of Gilroy ’ s , Fiorio Farms , says , “ these higher yields are needed to offset the rising costs of farming .”

It ' s these new and improved varieties which will be on display at the annual show that farmers and flower growers are always anticipating with the hopes of giving them an edge .

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