Congrats on the awards, Ron!
Glen, there is not a difference between Judging Centers on provisional awards. They all operate from the same AOS Handbook.
Section 5.5.2.1 Judging Procedure, reads in part:
".....(5) Taxonomic verification is required for all previously unawarded species and all first awards to taxonomically described varietal forms of otherwise recognized species, no matter what award is granted. Although taxonomic verification need not be presented prior to an award's being granted, if it was previously obtained, it should be accepted when the plant is judged. Awards will be held in a provisional status until identification is complete. Once an award has been cleared it will be allowed to stand, regardless of subsequent name changes resulting from taxonomic changes or award challenges.
(6) If any certified judge on the judging floor questions the identity of a species being considered for any award, then the award will be held in a provisional status until identification is complete....."
As you can see there is the caveat that any judge present (not just those on the team judging the plant) can question the identity and kick an award into provisional status. This is not some vindictive or penalizing provision. No single individual can be an expert on all orchids so this allows a judge who is knowledagable to voice his opinion. There is nothing about the provisional status that detracts from the award and since SITF creation the status is cleared quickly. In cases of questionable identity, the award prestige is actually enhanced by verification of identity.
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