I just thought it would be nice to offer information on how to get your plants to a judging and which judging center would be closest to you. So, if anybody has a plant they would like to have judged, and doesn't know where to go or how to get there, either post in this thread (or this forum), or e-mail me directly. Include where you are in the world (this will work best for North America, though). I can look up when and where.

Another option that you may not have considered is that AOS quality judging can be done on cut inflorescences. You can mail your flowers in, in other words. Obviously we can't give cultural awards this way.

I'd be happy to comment on specific plants if you send a good photo and some measurements. That isn't a guarantee of success (or failure) at the actual judging table, of course. There was also some interest in a judging FAQ. If people send (or post) specific questions, we can develop that kind of thing.

If there are other judges (or students, or wannabees) reading this forum, feel free to contact me and we can spread some of the wealth around. I'd particularly like to hear from some people in other areas of the world (Australia, UK, Germany, etc) which have other judging programs. I know nothing about these systems, but since this is an international group, it would be nice to have a resource to turn to.

Good idea and excellent informative post, Rob! :clap2: Please post here so we can all share and learn!

Yes!!! Great idea, please keep it on the forum, I would love to see what a plant would be judged by, maybe with people posting the photos and dimensions so that we can all see how the judging is done.

For instance:
Does the flower have to be perfect ?
Does the plant gave to be perfect ?
etc.

I go to local orchid shows and see identical 3 plants, and one is awarded, but all 3 look the same...I can't see why ?

I like this idea very much. Thanks

Rob,
Great post!

I have always been curious about how one safely sends a cut inflorescence in for judging. I know that at the GNYOS show this year one of the roths that got an FCC was an inflorescense, from Taiwan I think.

Wouldn't the buds or blooms get awfully beat up in the shipping process? I couldn't imagine sending in something like my wallisii...

Rob,
Great post!

I have always been curious about how one safely sends a cut inflorescence in for judging. I know that at the GNYOS show this year one of the roths that got an FCC was an inflorescense, from Taiwan I think.

Wouldn't the buds or blooms get awfully beat up in the shipping process? I couldn't imagine sending in something like my wallisii...

Some inflorescences would travel better than others... I have no experience shipping flowers. But, I know that there are a lot of people who do. You can order a big box of dendrobium flowers (or phals, or vandas, or whatever, really) from Thailand, for example. There is a real science to it, perhaps a florist would be able to tell us more.

Cut em? It is hard enough to get them to bloom :poke: I always love to see peoples face when you break a nice Catt flower off or a break an spike off! Thats the wat I used to be!

I'm working up the courage to pollinate my wallisii and I know, removing the pouch, will actually be painful for me. But hey, why the heck not! Might as well...I guess. :cry:

What I think wouuld be totally cool, would be having you, or other judge-quality folks, actually judge the photos we post (well, if we ask you to). Perhaps that's what you're already offering, but I mean, the photos we've posted in other sections of the site as well. I would LOVE to hear someone explain to me what is good and bad about a particular flower (from a judge's perspective, of course). I know what I like about various flowers, but don't really understand what the judges do and don't like. And like I said, you wouldn't have to have new submissions, you could just look at flowers we've already posted, no? Unless that freaks people out :-) I think it would be kind of cool.

Yes, we did that w/ Pete's besseae the other day. I think you'd want people to ask about particular plants though, just to not hurt anyone's feelings - like "Judges! Please critique my wallisii" instead of just rampant, unauthorized judging, you know?

I'm interested in this too though. I have to say, John, if you can go sit in at your local judging center, you'll learn a lot in just a couple hours of listening. I found it fascinating (boy are they ever picky about some things! ) :D

I did sit in a local judging here in dc a few months ago, and it was fascinating. I totally cornered the judges for a good hour and a half afterwards, it was just fascinating (even got a good impromptu lecture on orchids from the outgoing head of the AOS!)

Hi all
some of you will have heard that I have just returned from 3 weeks in South Africa(I know Gideon let the cat out of the bag!)
I took a first flowering seedling of ours with me.
The cross was P. Vanguard"Full Moon"AM/AOS xmalipoense "Green Giant"
I sent most of my sales stock ahead by freight but took 2 large boxes as luggage. In one of those I put this plant.
I flew to London, spent a day at our UK nursery then flew to Jo'burg
The plant won an 85 point AM, took best in class at Pretoria Show, then went to Jo'Burg to win Best in Show

I have been a Royal Horticultural Society judge since 1971 and given time I will impart some of my experiences.
But for the moment time does not allowme to stay on line


REMEMBER WHATEVER THE EXPERTS TELL YOU----JUDGING COMES DOWN TO ONE THING----"DO I LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Paul

Hi, Paul and Mary!

:welcome: Nice to see you guys here on the forum and thanks for joining the slipper forum!