Orchid Judging

[Kevinator]

Thanks for the info! What's NS and VS by the way? Flower damage is minor but at the same time noticeable if inspected carefully. Most of them are tiny brown spots but the flower for the most part doesn't look that damaged.

[Fairorchids]

NS = Natural Spread, which is max horizontal dimension
VS = Vertical Spread, which is max top to bottom dimension

Judges are REALLY nitpicking. If flower has any damage or has any segment slightly out of ideal position, wait till next blooming.

[carrilloenglish]

Hi Kevin,

My advice would be to take the plant to judging and hear what the judges have to say. It is a learning experience and the point of a judging is to learn about the strong points and the weaknesses of the flower and the plant. If the judging center is relatively close to you, then bring the plant. Whether awarded or not, you will learn from the experience and that also matters, not just an award.

Some comments about judging... Kim is right about judges being picky. They are not picky to be mean; they are picky because they are looking for a standard of excellence and perfection -- symmetry, balance, color, presentation, a "wow" factor, an improvement on the species, etc.

Size is important, but it is only 10 points of the judging process. Yet size is part of what can make an impression, or improvement of a plant, as well as the "wow" factor.

It's always impossible to judge from a photograph but your plant looks like its in the prime moment because its petals look straight. This species is famous for reflexing its petals. Now, if your plant does not reflex its petals then you really have a special plant. There are some awarded clones out there that keep straighter petals but this is a result of timing, perfect culture and great genetics.

This species has also been highly awarded. In my center on the east coast, we would want to see some form of improvement on the species to award it. If it looks like every other Angraecum sesquipedale that's already been awarded then there is no advancement. (Mind you different centers and judges feel differently about this). The plant is a little young and most recent awards have been to plants with many more flowers on it. Judges will want to see the inflorescence presentation and habit.

But that being said, there is no reason you cannot get an in person commentary on the plant at a judging center. Bring the plant and hear what judges think about it. You will learn more than you expected.

Good luck.

[Kevinator]

Well, I ended up missing the judging yesterday at the Long Beach judging center. I think I may just bring the plant in for critique since I can't find much judging info on angraecums. May bring in another plant for info as well (platystele stenostachya). As of now, the closest judging center is at the Huntington Library but it will be a little over two weeks from now so I'm not sure if the first flower will last until then. It is developing a yellowish tinge. I don't have time to drive to the other judging centers in Pacific South. Oh well. Thanks everyone for the info! I will keep this in mind for next year's blooms.