A few paphs

[puddin]

Thanks, littlefrog! Something else, do you have to grow the plant from a seedling, or can you like buy it then show it? I thought you have to breed a plant, grow the result, then you could enter it. Or is that a special thing you can do for a show?

[littlefrog]

Originally Posted by puddin

Thanks, littlefrog! Something else, do you have to grow the plant from a seedling, or can you like buy it then show it? I thought you have to breed a plant, grow the result, then you could enter it. Or is that a special thing you can do for a show?

That depends on the show rules, which depends on the society hosting the show. But, most shows I know of allow you to show anything you have owned for at least 6 months. Some might say a year. That could be a plant you purchased in bloom, or a seedling, or whatever. Doesn't matter one bit. Vanishingly small numbers of exhibitors are actually the persons who made the original cross.

For AOS judging (separate from ribbon judging at the show), there is no requirement on time of ownership for most awards. You can buy a plant off of a sales table and have it AOS judged the same day. In fact, I've seen awards granted that way.

[puddin]

Wow! I don't think that is right, buying it and getting a ribbon for it on the same day. You didn't grow it to make it bloom! The people you bought it from should get the award! Oh well, thanks for the info!

[ScottMcC]

Originally Posted by puddin

Wow! I don't think that is right, buying it and getting a ribbon for it on the same day. You didn't grow it to make it bloom! The people you bought it from should get the award! Oh well, thanks for the info!

Well I agree that it seems weird, but technically, you didn't get that award, the plant did. You just happen to be the owner of the plant that is awarded.

[littlefrog]

Well... It isn't a ribbon, those are given by the society. In theory, if you are following the show rules you can't get a show ribbon on a plant you just purchased. You can get an American Orchid Society award, which doesn't get you a ribbon (you do get a nice little sticker on a form, and eventually a certificate which you can frame).

And of course with an AOS award you get the honor of paying $40 for processing the award (if you are an AOS member, otherwise it is more).

As Scott indicated, an AOS quality award is to the plant, not the grower. The plant is recognized as being a superior clone of a given cross or species. In theory, an AOS award increases the value of your plant (if you wanted to sell it). The AOS judging team doesn't want to know who's plant it is or how long they have had it, it is judged for what it is with as few prejudices as possible.

[puddin]

Very interesting, thanks for the info!