Bc. Island Charm
'Yellow Flare' JC/AOS
(Awarded for distinct petal markings.)
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 f you are new to orchids, or are unfamiliar with the process of receiving an award for your plant, a good place to begin is at your local orchid society. At most meetings, members display their blooming plants for show table judging in which points or ribbons are granted. A group, usually accompanied by an AOS judge, will decide the best orchid in each category. Later in the meeting, each plant will be critiqued individually as to its flower and cultural merits. Another benefit of society membership is that you may display your orchids in your society’s exhibit at local orchid shows where they will be eligible for AOS judging.
If you are considering entering a plant for an American Orchid Society flower award, the main features to look for are size, shape and color. The number of flowers per stem as well as the substance and texture of the flower are also important aspects.
Sometimes an orchid will be nominated for a Judges Commendation (JC/AOS) which recognizes distinctive characteristics in either the plant or flower that the judges feel can not be evaluated under the parameters of a flower quality award. For cultural consideration, orchid plants should be sizable, in great condition, well-flowered and have good flower distribution and presentation. There are also awards such as a Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR/AOS) that recognizes a flowering species that is rare or unusual and a Certificate of Horticultural Merit (CHM/AOS) that is granted to a well-grown and well-flowered species or a natural hybrid. An Award of Distinction (AD/AOS) recognizes new trends or directions in breeding. An Award of Quality (AQ/AOS) is given when at least 12 different varieties of the same cross are presented. At least one in the group must also receive a flower award or have previously been awarded. This award is given to both the grower of the plants and to the breeder, providing they are not the same person.
C. skinneri var abla
'Debbie' FCC/AOS
(A fabulous example of C.skinneri. Has extra large petals and grows into huge specimen plants.)
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Paph. Saint Swithin
'Debbie' AM/AOS 88pts.
(Recognized for its extra wide petals and excellent color.)
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L. purpurata fma. schusteriana
'Linwood' CCE/AOS
(A fitting example of how large L. purpurata can grow.)
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Databases are available that list awards and descriptions so you can compare your specimen to previous awards. Most databases have the ability to generate family trees going back to the original species and also include other useful tools. We recommend eAOS the American Orchid Society’s system. This program lists information on awards granted by the AOS dating back to 1932 including the awarded plant’s picture and its description.
For a great learning experience, consider attending one of the 31 AOS judging centers throughout the United States and Canada where you can observe the judging process first hand. When exhibiting your orchids at an AOS judging center, they should be cleaned, staked and groomed as well as possible. On the entry form, you will be asked to give information such as, the plant’s name, whether or not the cultivar has been awarded and the plant’s parentage if it is not a species. The orchid will then be evaluated by the judges. If it is nominated, the judges will then score the plant. Your plant will need 75 points or higher to receive a flower award. Flower awards are based on 100 points. Any flowers scoring between 75 and 79 points will receive a Highly Commendable Certificate (HCC/AOS). If scored from 80 to 89 points, it will receive an Award of Merit (AM/AOS). The finest flowers, scoring 90 points or higher, will receive a First Class Certificate (FCC/AOS).
Cultural awards are granted to recognize the grower of a flowering plant that is grown to a large specimen size. Once the plant is nominated, it will need to score 80 points or higher to be awarded. A Certificate of Cultural Merit (CCM/AOS) is given for scores from 80 to 89 points, and the much coveted Certificate of Cultural Excellence (CCE/AOS) is given for scores of 90 points or higher.
Blc. Momilani Rainbow
(Selected seedling)
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Blc. Momilani Rainbow
(Selected seedling)
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Blc. Momilani Rainbow
(Selected seedling)
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A knowledgeable grower can recommend quality plants and will be able to tell you if a plant is a seedling or a mericlone. Mericlones are produced through laboratory propagation. Tissue from the mother plant is agitated in a special solution and will multiply to produce exact replicas of the original plant. Seedlings are produced by cross-pollinating two plants. The progeny will exhibit characteristics of the parent plants and each one will be different. If you are considering the purchase a seedling, make sure the flowers are an improvement over the two parents. While there are many clones of awarded or high quality orchid plants, the advantage of buying a seedling is that you will have a one-of-a-kind plant that is one-in-a-million instead of one-of-a-million.
If you are interested in the orchid judging program we encourage you to get involved. The process of receiving an AOS award may seem daunting, but the faster you get started the sooner you will recognize the characteristics of a quality orchid plant. This knowledge will help you to purchase plants that will enhance the value of your collection for years to come.
Waldor Orchids
Waldor.com
Also Check out our Blog. Waldororchids.blogspot.com
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