Try this one. Its the 6th flower on this spike (all the others have already dropped).

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8310/lowii607webzi8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sorry, I have no idea how lowii is judged but, gosh, that is so beautiful and looks so large!

Great looking Lowii:cool:

John

very pretty

Nice lowii! :thumbsup:

Looks like the flower has started to age or just recently opened. Nice colors and markings.

It is huge!

Since there are allot of lowii out there, and this is the tail end of the peak blooming season for them I thought this would be a good practice example for critiqueing/judgeing. So have at it guys and gals.

Peter you are right that this one is starting to go out. Also this pic is kind of an example of why its hard to judge from photos. The perspective with my hand makes the flower look large. Actually the span of this flower is only 12 cm which is not only small for this particular plant, but small for awarded flowers which are up in the 15-16 cm range.

The color seems washed out to me. Possibly from age or the photo, but I think I have seen much better lowii color before. Also the lateral petals seem a little curled back rather than flat petals flipped up, and they seem a little droopy. The dorsal also seems off center, but that could be the photo angle.

Many awarded lowiis have a much deeper coloration. Especially the pouch.

Nice presentation.

I hate to be the voice of negativity, but I would not score this flower. The flower itself is small, the color is not as viviid as I would like, and the petals are not straight enough.

I hate to be the voice of negativity, but I would not score this flower. The flower itself is small, the color is not as viviid as I would like, and the petals are not straight enough.

If I were you I wouldn't call yourself the voice of negativity...LOL!

This is the "Critique/Judge My Plant" forum...I honestly don't know what one looks for as far as good quality in a lowii. You comments, as far as I am concerned, are very welcome and very educational!

Thanks!

Brian pretty much hit it on the head.

This is the 6th and last flower on this spike and it going out.

This plant has been pulled for judging in the past when a full spike was intact.

The flowers are generally 15+ cm with straighter petals (but only rarely straight out like the Super Fly grex), with richer colors. Some judges find the clear centers on the spots intriqueing. This plant consitently has 5 flowers per spike. I was pretty exicted to get 6 this time, but most of the other flowers dropped by the time this one opened.

One thing that judges generally look for too is the presentation of the reflexed tips of the petals. The more they face forward the better for maximum presentation. Most lowii petals twist so far back that you either see the petal in profile or you see the backs of the petals.