How do I present a plant for AOS judging?

[susiep]

I would like to present a plant for AOS judging. At Redlands, if it is not too late. But I have never done it. It is a very large Den antennatum. But I am not sure it is good enough. What do I need to know? Any advice will be appreciated.

[ronaldhanko]

If its a show, every plant entered in the show is available to the judges for consideration except those that for one reason or another (having recently been judged nor made unavailable for AOS judging by the owner) are excluded. If it's one of the judging centers the following link will identify the centers, dates, etc., and all you have to do is show up with your plant and you'll be told how to enter it.
In both cases, it has to be nominated by the judges before it gets judged. Not every plant is automatically judged.

AOS | Judging Centers

[susiep]

Thanks, Ron! But I have specific questions about preparing the plant to look it's best. How important is presentation? Should I clean the leaves, etc? This plant is grown outside so it is not perfect. But it is big and healthy with lots of spikes of flowers. I am just not sure if it is worth dragging it someplace or not.

[littlefrog]

It sounds like you might be thinking cultural award, which is great. But you do need to prepare it, if we are looking at culture we like to see a clean, well groomed plant. Even if we aren't looking at a cultural award, we like to see a clean, well groomed plant, although I'm pretty guilty of just taking any old good looking flower off the bench and dragging it in without any prep at all. Probably would get more awards if I cleaned up a bit.

I'm pretty sure there are two or three articles in old AOS Orchids publications about doing it. Here are some basics.

1) Remove any dead leaves and old/shriveled pseudobulbs. Don't take off anything that is still useful to the plant.

2) Clean your leaves. Supposedly plant shine is against the rules, although I'm not sure that is written down. But you can do a great job with lemon juice (could even rub the plant down with half a lemon), some people use milk. One very good grower I know used CLR (the stuff you clean coffee pots with). That might be an advanced technique... Get as much of the water spots and dirt off as you can, without damaging the plant.

3) Stake up your spikes. Actually the time to really start doing that was a few weeks/months ago, if you really want to get it right. But, stake and arrange inflorescences the best you can.

4) Carefully pack the plant into the car, take a picture before it goes because you never know... Bring it to judging. I don't know about your center, but around here you can just show up. We love it when people just show up (really!). Check the AOS magazine for place and time, and if you are confused or need more instruction, there is contact information for every center.

5) Have fun. Really, you may or may not get an award. But have fun anyway. That is what orchids are about. Awards are a bonus. Enjoy the experience. Ask if you can observe the judging. You probably can. You want to avoid sitting on the team that is looking at your plant (trust me, judges can be mean, we are looking for flaws).

Rob

[erna]

I am certainly not anywhere near being an AOS judge, but I have entered several plants in AOS judged Shows. I want to add to what Rob has said. You must have the plant tagged, in ledgible writing, with the correct name.

[lambelkip]

Entries for this year's Redlands show must be entered on Thursday, May 12 between Noon and 3:00pm at the show tent in the park:
Fruit & Spice Park
24801 SW 187th Ave.
Homestead, Florida

there should be volunteers there to help you with the registration process. there is no fee for entering a plant at an AOS judged show, but you will have to pay a processing fee if you win an AOS award.

[ronaldhanko]

Sorry, misunderstood, but the others have given you the info you need. Should be as well presented as possible - that's the bottom line.

[RJSquirrel]

yup just have fun and enjoy the circus!!!

[susiep]

Ok, thanks everybody! I also talked to David (dgenovese) tonight and got his suggestions. I might try to do this. I can clean and stake it up tomorrow. But that means going to Redlands on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. It is 60 miles each way. It doesn't look the best I have ever seen it, but it seems the timing is never perfect! I will post a picture and you guys tell me if I should bring it, ok? I will take one tomorrow in the daylight. Thanks again!

[Ysa]

Good luck! Post some pics so we can star judging and enjoying