Is this worth driving two hours for AOS judging?

[gotsomerice]

I think I am not going to drive two hours to get this judge.

From all the advices that I've got i.e. the flower ns is too small. No C. intermedia var. coerulea with flowers under 8.3cm width has gotten any AOS award, and the number of flowers doesn't compare to several awarded clones. The presentation of the flowers this year is pretty crowded/messy.

But I still love my plant. Maybe I can breed it with my other ones since this one grow pretty fast with from 4-inch pot to this size in two years!

Thanks for helping me!

[Discus]

Yes, if you have access to records of previously awarded material, you can usually have a pretty good idea if your plant is going to "make the grade" or not, particularly if you understand what judges consider "good qualities" for the flowers/plants. CCEs usually only go to ridiculously huge plants, and most of the other awards are only for exceptional flowers. You've probably saved yourself a couple of hours of driving

[escualida]

Well if you ever decide to divide it I would definitely buy or trade for it. It is lovely

[james mickelso]

That's too bad. I feel you should go for a couple of reasons even if you don't win. Winning is not always what is important. Many times it is the experience that counts. You took the time and cared for this plant to make it the best you could at the time. The judges will tell you what you will need to do in the future to cultivate this plant to maximize it's potential. That right there is reason enough to go. To get to talk with judges who actually care about your plant and will give you the time and let you know what is needed and how to go about making this plant worth an award. Don't miss the chance. Take pride in what you accomplished. How many of us on this board have come this close? Take advantage of this opportunity. 2 hrs of driving are nothing compared to the delight you can take in the fact that you get to talk with judges who care about your efforts. I showed bonsai trees for decades that seldom won anything but admiration from the other attendees. But I got great delight in the fact I got to show my trees. And the judges cared enough about my efforts to give me more insight as to how to grow better trees. So don't miss the chance. Go now. This time. You never know what the future might bring.

[vjo]

I agree with James on this, what is 2 hours compared to the knowledge and confidence you will gain from the experience! I say go for it. I took a Phrag. to a show this spring, really not thinking that it would even get looked at! Came home with an AM!!...Please take it, you never know....Jean

[gotsomerice]

It's too late now the judging was today. Some flowers have spot on them already. Maybe next year. I'm breeding it with my other coeruleas. For what's worth, I remeasured the largest flowers ns it's 8.5cm not 7.5cm anymore!