Judging of specimen plants

[Des]

Why is that when you have a specimen plant flower like never before, there are no shows or judges around?
And why can't one take as many pics as they require and have it judged in that manner. It would then be a simple matter of e-mailing the pics to the judges.

[Rhonda_in_FL]

It is always frustrating when there isn't an opportunity to get a fab plant to judging. I have some friends that are often in a pickle--they pull in CCM's with aplomb, but it's all in the timing.

As a student in the judging program, and in an area where specimen plants are seen often, I wouldn't even want to try to give a specimen it's true credit from a photo. Photographing those things is an art in itself--and I think the photos never due them true credit. If you look at the AQ's from years past, you'll see that even the award photographers sometimes have a hard time depicting the true magnitude of some of the monsters that are brought in for judging.

Just my thoughts...but I do know what you mean, I imagine judges see just a fraction of plants that deserve awards due to timing, geography, etc.

[kavanaru]

the answer to the first question... I would say Murphy's law...

as fr the second... not very sure about orchids, but I can extrapolate from reporting "rarities" in Bird-watching: digital pics are not allowed, because you can make wonders happen with Photoshop... Films and Slides are accepted in birdwatsching, but only because you cannot have the bird there waiting for someone to come and confir it was there In the case of orchids, I assume they really want to see and inspect the plants to be sure it meets the requirements: only one plant (instead of many placed together), right culture and no hidden pests, etc... as I said, I'm just speculating here...

[Orchidflowerchild]

A biiiig part of awarding specimen plants is that all flowers, buds, and the entire plant is in good condition, free of pests, and healthy. There is much that a photo can hide.

-Cj

[Rhonda_in_FL]

Geeze CJ, you've joined in December and have 70 posts...I'm only in the 80's. I guess I need to get my act together and post more!

[tbaenziger]

Hi Rhonda, Ted here. I agree with you about not being able to award a flower from a picture (digital or otherwise), but Des, we also have to judge texture and substance, as well as arrangement and color in natural light. None of these show up in a photograph. Why does a flower bloom whilst the judging group is away? The same reason why carrying an umbrell means it will not rain.