AOS judges are so insensitive!

[nancy]

These folks are so unpredictable - last year, they pulled my knockout Platystele stenostachya, considered it for an AOS award, then 'dissed' it.
This year, the same plant is absolutely killer, twice the size, thousands of flowers - ignored!
Instead, they pulled BC Maikai 'Improved' x C. Maxima - carried it indoors, outdoors, fluorescent and incandescent light - then dismissed!
On the other hand, the plants are now permitted to live. Word is, if you get a plant awarded, it is destined to croak within the year, so...
Well, maybe next year!
Regards - Nancy (who apparently can't grow anything BUT s**t).

[cb977]

Nancy, I know it's disappointing when this happens but it's not personal, I'm sure.

Plants being looked at for awards are compared to previously awarded plants of the same type. If it doesn't take an award, it had differences when that comparison was made. That, and the fact that they are only human with their own preferences make for an unpredictable situation.

Don't give up, if they're going as far as looking that closely at your plants you're doing a better job than you're thinking you are

You get an "A" for effort

[littlefrog]

What she said.

Really, if the team noticed your plant and took the time to evaluate it, consider it a win. A lot of plants are evaluated and very few win awards.

And most importantly, don't let AOS judging interfere with your enjoyment of the orchids. What really matters is that _you_ like the plant. If you like it, and think it is a nice plant, then who cares what judges think? The inverse is also true.

[DebsC]

I'm certainly not a judge but I do agree with what the others told you. Your plants are being taken notice of, you're doing something right! You should be proud.

If it was easy...it wouldn't mean much. Good luck next time.

[Phantasm]

Geez.....I thought my wife was the only one that thought I was unsensitive. We all learn the hard way!

You should be honored that your plants were looked at so intently. Many plants don't even get that far.....You can be sure that when reviewed against prior awards, your plants came up a bit short in some dimension. Perhaps other awards had larger plants with more flowers, or for the cattleya hybrid perhaps it didn't compare better than its siblings. I wouldn't know unless I was on the team that reviewed it.

All of us have great plants that never will be awarded for one reason or another. That is no reason to feel rejected.

One way to get a feel for how your plant compares is to check prior awards for the same plant BEFORE you take it to judging. That way you will know whether it is marginal or not, and whether you should expect an award.

I, and many judges, have felt that our own plants have been turned down unjustly on occaision or scored lower than expected. That is a good reason not to judge your own plants! It also doesn't mean that the plant isn't worth growing if it gives you satisfaction.

[quiltergal]

I'm curious about the process. Are there comment sheets that judges can give entrants feedback on their plants? I have never entered any of my plants in a show and probably never will, but I have had quilts judged by AQS judges before. They give comments on what was good and what could have been better so you know what to work towards in the future. Granted plants will do what they want, but if you knew upfront that your petals weren't round enough or whatever then maybe you could save yourself some anxiety and not enter it.

[Phantasm]

The general answer is no, there is no feedback unless it is awarded. Our region is attempting to give exhibitors feedback on a more regular basis. Often plants are turned down because the plant is young and just needs to grow up and achieve it potential. Judges should encourage such plants to come back when they are mature.

[littlefrog]

At our center we will appoint a team member to give some feedback if the exhibitor asks for comments. This doesn't always happen at shows, but we have time to do it at the center judging.

I agree that a lack of feedback is frustrating. We were discussing this at our last meeting. It seems that everybody could do a better job. I do think that if you take the trouble to ask a judge for comments, they will usually oblige. I will always give feedback if asked, myself. I don't think it is appropriate to give a detailed report of the specific 'politics' at the judging table, but general comments about the good and less good qualities of a flower are certainly a good idea.

One of the lesser known missions of the AOS judging program is to educate orchid growers. Please ask us questions, that is one of the reasons we spend all of our free time and money doing this. It is strictly volunteer, so 'love of the game' is a prime motivator.
Rob

[Bolero]

I've never agreed with the theory that it has to be 'better' than the siblings. If it's a quality flower and plant then it should be awarded.

Measuring millimetres and checking it under different lighting levels all sounds too convoluted. Thank god I don't have to go through that. I think you are unlucky and chances are if you had a different judging panel they might have given it a different result........not that I was there of course but you would be surprised the difference that different judges can make.

Maybe next year, don't give up hope, obviously they think they are quality plants.

[Phantasm]

The question of lateral awards is commonly discussed among judges with a variety of opinions. If a cross has an exceptionally high rate of quality, then I see no problem with awarding a large population. Of course in such a cross even the mediocre plants are pretty good and a line has to be drawn somewhere.

The best crosses are an improvement from the parents, and that should be expected for awards. Most crosses have no awards at all and generally aren't an improvement on the parents.