Student Judge question: minis getting flower quality awards

[goodgollymissmolly]

Originally Posted by Bud

I respect your opinion, you wrote a very depressing article on AOS with the guise of picking our minds....you must show two sides of the coin....why did you even become a student judge; what was your agenda?
Most successful AOS judges are rich old folks who have lots of time on their hands, must know how to draw or have a macro camera, write well with correct grammar and expletive/adjectives and can spend gasoline to go to the sites and waste money on unnecessary expenses.... very few folks are like that nowadays. This is not a career for the middle class. This is for the old rich and oppulent. If you are a nuveau riche or a corporate CEO; then you still have to toil and go to your office and judging orchids is not for you. Better research for an income generating career move. You will not be a millionaire as an AOS judge. In fact you will be poor and sell your hybrids and clones on Ebay.
As a starting student judge, you will really undergo a lot of trials and hardships and you are privy to the politics behind AOS; yet you can not do anything about it since you still do not have clout nor power. You have to spend at least six years of your life in AOS toil and drudgery to even have your voice heard.....and it will be a very very faint voice

You clearly have no knowledge about the judging system, but that does not seem to have any impact on your willingness to post in public. Yeah, I'm opulent all right ....at least I will be when I win the lottery. It's just a suggestion, but why not refrain from commenting when you know nothing about the subject?

[couchalot]

Thank you for your reply. I agree that this does happen. I fall prey to it, as tiny flowers have an innate appeal to me. This is why, as part of my talk, I am looking for a solution- either a task force within the AOS, or without, that compiles photos that may be used to determine if the candidate in front of us is, as you say, showing the efforts of a breeding program, or is simply an outstanding specimen rather than a lone specimen that is appreciated only for its unique (to us) characteristics. Too many CHM/CBR's are handed out due to ignorance, that much is sure. But what is the answer?

[couchalot]

Thank you for clarifying the other person's comment, I've been trying to figure out who that one thinks I am- and what article I wrote, and which AOS judges are independently wealthy? Glad to know it wasn't about me. As a side note to that persons uncomfortable rant, I am female, between 40 and death, have bred and trained dogs and horses for the show ring since I could walk- yet another place full of interesting folks who are generally just regular people, and have been involved in the judging program since the first time I clerked an AOS show.

It is fascinating to me, the amount of information one must learn. With my background in genetics- I am a teacher of middle school- it is a hybrid of an intellectual puzzle and sensory overload. I have tried to pick topics for my talks that are a bit out of the way, and in doing that, love to hear everyone's opinion. This topic is even more polarizing than the last one.

My only concern with the people who keep saying things about minis getting a CBR/CHM as a means to get them into the database is that the flower is generally not photographed or even fully described for either of those awards. As such, having it in the data base is almost useless if one wants to consider a tiny flower for an Award of Merit. I would love to see a flower shot for all CBR/CHM awards, or a botannical drawing/description- however this might make people even less likely to award the plants. Thanks again for your clarification and comments, it is deeply appreciated.

[Call_Me_Bob]

realy? it makes the most sense for a CBR to me photographed! i wonder why it isnt! it seems like plants getting a CBR are the ones that would be best suited for description and a photograph!

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

realy? it makes the most sense for a CBR to me photographed! i wonder why it isnt! it seems like plants getting a CBR are the ones that would be best suited for description and a photograph!

CBR & CHM awards are photographed. In 2011, 20 CBR awards were registered, 18 have their pictures 2 did not have the photograph for some reason. 2011 had 38 CHM awards with 32 photographs. Having a complete description with accurate measurements and a photograph helps judges, in areas where they rarely get to see the awarded plants in person, make reasonable decisions on judging a similar plant presented to them. Here in South Florida we rarely see cool growing orchids due to their growing needs. Likewise those in the cooler areas don't get to see all that is grown in the hot climate. All new information is helpful esp. new species and varieties.

[Call_Me_Bob]

good to know! i was under the impression that CBR and CHR didnt get photographer, after reading Couchalots post

[Lorraine]

I just want to add that I grow several very small flowering species. A 10x loupe is helpful to see the delicate details of each flower. When mine ever get large enough to take in for judging I most certainly will be very happy to have it judged using any and all information that is available to the judges at the time.

Most visitors looking at my collection totally miss them unless I point them out and sometimes even then they are still drawn to the showier and flashiest blooms I have. That seems to be part human nature. I love them all, big and small. And they continue to follow me home from the orchid shows.

Our society had a Ramble last year and incorporated in visiting the different members homes, there was a list of certain plants, sizes, etc to look for and write down the answers. At the end the winner was declared having the most correct answers. It was very successful and really gave the owners a more enjoyable encounter answering questions about their collections.

[Bud]

All my biased opinions came from what I read about what other members post in their threads. I have never met an AOS judge in my life nor do I intend to....AOS got $65 of my money and I never have any use from its membership and I know its my fault for being gullible in thinking my contribution will help them improve our lives in orchidboard.

Even couchalot game me the notion that she is being used and abused by her AOS mentors in this thread....or I must have misunderstood her quotes....
"Personally I believe that the AOS is failing to evolve with the times. I am also concerned about the lack of consistency between judging centers across the US."...
and if she wants to be an AOS judge then I wont rain on her parade. Its her life.

That is why I have a mounting hatred for AOS and whoever is running it and all its judges because of what they are doing to other members here. And these OB members write about it...so I beleive them.

I value my co members opinion a lot for they have helped me in my predicaments in the past; thats why I have loyalty to the OBmembers than the AOS.... RHS or KEW....

[IcePenguin]

Gosh Bud, I'm surprised if you have anything nice to say at all! I find your comments extremely rude, and not very nice at all. People use this forum to learn from others and share their thoughts, ideas, and struggles where it pertains to growing orchids. Not to hear someone spewing venom and hatred. You're obviously a very unhappy person and such negativity just detracts from this thread and is totally uncalled for and uneccessary. You're bullying tactics are for children, so how bout trying not to act like one?
Too bad you have no intention of ever meeting an AOS judge, I'm guessing they could run circles around you in the knowledge department and teach you a few things as well. But it takes an open mind for that and sadly you don't have one.

[Bud]

I am not against you or any member here, Ice Penguin....I am against AOS and using and abusing their students for 6 long years without payment or stipends at all!....so your accusations against me is unrealand uncalled for....be an AOS judge first then go back and quarrel with me.

* you just wanna quarrel with me LOL....pick a number and fall in line= its not gonna happen...heh