A thought about Orchid presentation and aethestic in judging.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

Recently I visited a cactus and succulent show in my city, and it was a quite a treat to the eyes.
Beside the impressive showcase of robust cultivated plants or the pretty blooms, what surprised me more is the "staging" section. My first thought was, 'is this bonsai but for cactus?.' Of course it is not, but I believe the tenet of staging is synonymous to bonsai in term of ornamentation.

I really like the thoughts goes before behind the decoration. The choice of rocks, topping, and sometime even the stress pattern of the cactus encapsulate a slice of nature on a pot. It is as if you are seeing the plant in situ.
Then I thought, does orchid shows have this sort of judging? Can one bring this sort of aesthetic approach to cultivation in the orchid scene? It furthers reconfirm why I like growing orchids on sticks or among moss so much, because it just feels like the orchid is in the 'right place.'
I understand that it is very difficult because most orchid cannot be easily manipulated or trained like cactus and succulent, but I think it would be really cool if orchid show can adopt a similar fashion of bonsai, or wabikusa, or whatever that enhance the presentation of the orchid beside showing how beautiful it is by itself.

[DirtyCoconuts]

so this is a very cool question

i have started to see displays at shows rather than just plants and there is a judging for display tables which feature a lot of cool orchids in neat arrangements and mounts etc-

this, to me is totally distinct from the judging of the orchids and should honestly not take the rarity, size or popularity of the orchids included into account at all. it shoul djust evaluate the aesthetic elements and the "in situ" feeling or how well you re-create the real conditions etc.

i think if this evolved in the plant world it would be a cool separate thing to do and enjoy-

[estación seca]

Be sure to see the Intercity Show in August at the Arboretum.

Our Society judges orchid displays as well as individual plants.

Edit: I meant the Intercity Cactus & Succulent show and sale. Also there is the annual show and sale of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America at the Huntington in late June or early July depending on the calendar.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

here is one of the orchid "kusamono" project I am attempting on bulbophyllum lindleyanum. I can't control the growth pattern of the bulbophyllum that easily, so instead, I control the vegetation around it. This bulbo don't have thick roots so it is easy to blend it in among moss. I still have to figure my care technique for this orchid to make it look cleaner.

[DirtyCoconuts]

that is lovely! it has a really cool mix of super-reality and sur-reality, i really like it.

i dont have the space/time or patience to have a lot of setups like this but i really like what you have done

[WaterWitchin]

Really liking that Flying Rock mount! How fun! Another fascinating plant addiction is folks who aquascape in aquariums. I used to do that... not at the level of the folks who get judge... but the miniature worlds are fascinating to view.

[Leafmite]

How beautiful! With the moss and rock, it will be beautiful in bloom and out of bloom.

Sometimes people who grow Vanda falcata try to make the setting as beautiful as the orchid.

Our shows just judge the displays. There are two awards...the judges get to pick one and there is the people's choice award where the visitors vote by putting a ticket in the bucket of their favorite display. I heard that at a show, someone made a fairy-type garden with orchids, possibly other plants, maybe some fairy-garden items and even a miniature pond with fish...I wish I had gotten to see it. I heard it was amazing.