My First Orchid Show - judging question - Orchid Board

Zabeta · #1 04-19-2015, 09:49 PM

Hi everyone,

I attended my very first orchid show today, and it was really fun, etc., but I was a little baffled by the fact that many of the winning orchids seemed to have major cosmetic or health defects (rotting pseudobulbs, browning leaves, salt residue on the leaves). There were some STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS, clearly meticulously cared for plants with no prizes at all.

I looked up the criteria for judging orchids, and it looks like the main thing that is being judged isn't the plant itself, but just its flowers.

Is it normal to have plants that look a little disheveled at orchid shows?

A tangential question is, how do you (you personally) get the most out of orchid shows? I talked to a couple growers and picked up some supplies, not to mention a few new plants, but I'm wondering if there was more I could have done to make the most of the situation, given that there were a million experts just milling around, and a bunch of award-winning plants surrounding me.

Thanks!

silken · #2 04-19-2015, 10:36 PM

If it is AOS awards, there are various awards and several of the most common are based on one bloom or blooms. So the plant itself does not have to be much. I even noticed at our show that some of the other ribbon awards such as best in class etc. seemed to be mostly based on the flowers, not the plant. There are some AOS horticultural and grower awards. Check the AOS site and they will have a description of their awards.

If there were lectures, you could sit in on some of them to add to your orchid experience. Otherwise, just wander around and check all the orchids out and speak to vendors and others who have some wisdom to share

As a society member I volunteered to help a vendor work his booth. Often they are alone and can barely even get away for a break. So I found that rewarding too and the guy seemed to really appreciate my help. He couldn't speak perfect English so he was happy for me to speak to customers.

orchidsarefun · #3 04-19-2015, 11:44 PM

as for learning and getting the most use out of a Show.......figure out which orchid genus you like the best, or top 3, and then ask the person at the entrance to the show/reception if they could refer you to an 'expert'...or 3. You can then open a discussion with that expert - best to lead with asking if they have something on show and go from there. At our show ( as hosts ) we have people with name tags and t-shirts and we are always happy to help anyone with questions. I have seen that done at other shows too. Even better is to bring along a 'problem' plant to show the experts; you will soon have plenty of people offering advice/help.

Zabeta · #4 04-20-2015, 02:18 PM

Thanks to both of you!

plantluvver · #5 04-21-2015, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

as for learning and getting the most use out of a Show.......figure out which orchid genus you like the best, or top 3, and then ask the person at the entrance to the show/reception if they could refer you to an 'expert'...or 3. You can then open a discussion with that expert - best to lead with asking if they have something on show and go from there. At our show ( as hosts ) we have people with name tags and t-shirts and we are always happy to help anyone with questions. I have seen that done at other shows too. Even better is to bring along a 'problem' plant to show the experts; you will soon have plenty of people offering advice/help.

I am new here and to orchids. So I may be wrong in my opinion.

I don't know if bringing a problem plant would be appreciated. At the two different orchid shows that I have visited, Display orchids were separated from vendors' orchids, and you were not allowed to bring your purchases through the display area. I assume that one of the reasons for that set up was to try to prevent exposure to disease and pests.

Zabeta · #6 04-21-2015, 01:26 AM

That's interesting - I was surprised by how lax this was. People could bring their purchased plants through the display.

I guess it varies from show to show?

silken · #7 04-21-2015, 03:22 AM

At our show and others I have been to, you can't bring any plants past the entrance to the display area. There is a 'plant hotel' set up where you check your plant purchases much like a coat check. This is for security as award winning plants could be stolen and not noticed.

I don't think a problem plant with a pest in the vendor area would be appreciated for sure. But questions are certainly welcome.

orchidsarefun · #8 04-21-2015, 08:24 AM

all shows have different layouts for sure. Ours, and 2 others I've been to, have vendors in the centre of the hall with exhibits around the edges. Others have stanchions and ropes protecting the exhibits. Its all dependent on the size of the show and host Society. I would also say that its the vendors that normally do the 'bag and hold' for customers at shows I've been to.
However every show I have been to does have a 'reception', manned by the host society, and all I was referring to is that you go there first, problem plant or not, to get a referral. We've only ever got about 2 'infected' plants, the rest needed repotting, advice on lighting and fertilising requirements - and these were all dealt with by an 'expert'.
I personally handled a plant with soft brown scale, a really bad infestation ,and I recommended the plant be tossed as the owner had tried everything and it had kept coming back. I tossed it. The other was mealybugs and that was also handled ( not tossed ).
As a Society we welcome PR with the public as we always are on the 'lookout' for new members.

tucker85 · #9 04-21-2015, 09:32 AM

Most of the AOS awards that you see attached to an orchid's name (HCC, AM, FCC) are for the flower only. Although the condition of the plant may influence a judge, it's not taken into consideration during the judging process. The judges have a list of criteria like flower shape, color saturation, flower size, etc.. While those awards are given to an individual plant, AOS culture awards are given to a grower for a well grown plant. Certificates of Cultural Merit and Certificates of Cultural Excellence are awarded to the grower for a particularly well grown plant. Although culture awards are coveted by orchid enthusiasts, the rest of us are unaware of them because the award is not attached to the orchid's name.
As far as orchid shows go, I agree with Silken. The way to get the most out of a show is to volunteer to work at the show. You can learn a lot by volunteering to be a judging clerk. You'll do all the grunt work but you'll learn a lot. I like to browse the various booths to see what new hybrids are available. There's always something new and different to see. The vendors are pretty busy so if you want to ask questions, have a specific question in mind. One thing I've noticed is that if you buy one orchid early and carry it around in a bag, vendors will give you more attention because they know you're buying and not just browsing. Remember that they grow their orchids in a controlled environment in a greenhouse. I was surprised to find that knowledgeable collectors often know more about growing quality orchids than the commercial growers do. We have a lot of orchid shows in Florida and I don't know of any that would allow you to bring a sick orchid into the show. Even at my orchid society meetings people aren't allowed to bring sick orchids in.

orchidsarefun · #10 04-21-2015, 09:41 AM

things are certainly a lot different at various Societies. We even have a monthly meeting dedicated to 'problem' plants where everyone is encouraged to bring them in for open discussion. Even have a microscope that someone brings in specifically for that purpose.