This is in response to no one in particular, and to everyone who has been arguing the pros and cons of various judging systems in the world. Letâs face it, none are perfect, but we can hope for improvement in all of them. In the meantime, with few exceptions, everyone being served by any judging system is dependent upon the one serving the area where he lives. As such, one should learn to play the game to fit the locale. It has long been my observation that, with few exceptions, gardeners are a competitive breed: note the fellow who starts his tomato plants on the windowsill in late winter, and gets them outside and braggs when he has the first ripe tomato on the block. In my opinion the most competitive of all are the orchid hobbyists: Note the exhibition of plants on the show table at monthly society meetings; the exhibits at the annual society shows; the frequent posts on forums of how to grow such and such orchid; and the posting of pictures to demonstrate their prowess in growing. Frequently, the ones taking part in these activities are the ones downing the AOS judging system, although they accept ribbon judging at shows.
I practiced surgery during a time when the admonition was âpublish or perishâ. As an amateur hobbyist I have tried to carry over in growing orchids, by playing the game to its fullest. I try and grow the best I can; I exhibit at the monthly meetings; I have my own exhibits at the annual shows in the area; I try and write a few articles on culture; and try to give an occassional talk o n what my current interest might be. I also attend judging sessions for my own education, and when I have a suitable plant I take it for evaluation. There are probably few growers who would turn down an award, including those who claim to have no interest in awards.. Botanical awards are easy-simply grow an oddball and show it first. Flower awards are, in my opinion, luck of the draw. The best award is the cultural award as it goes to the grower for excellence in culture. Does getting this make one a better grower? Probably not, but it is a sign of accomplishment, and for the hobbyist this is visible evidence that they at least know how to grow that plant. As an amateur hobbyist I have now received 127 official awards: one, a GM for culture, from the RHS; 9 for the AOS Show Trophy; and 117 from the AOS for individual plants-33 were AMs; 30 for culture, of which 10 had scores between 90-96 points; 22 were CHMs; 11 were HCCs; 4 were CBRs; 3 were JCs; 2 were ADs, and 2 were FCCs. Among my awarded plants I have four which mean a great deal: A CHM on Onc flexuosum âTridentâ, a species which has been in cultivation for over 100 years, and used in hybridization numerous times. Why it had never been shown at any judging is a mystery, but I received the award. To demonstrate that I also know how to grow it, I received a CCM on it two years later. I rceived an AM on a lycaste which had been a gift when it was still an unnamed seedling, Lycaste Wylde Wine âRubyâ, named for my wife; and nine years later I received a CCM for culture. I also have one plant on which I have all three awards-a CHM, an AM, and a CCE-this is for one of my natives which I grow in pot culture, Pogonia ophioglossoides âTridentâs Sugar Babyâ. Best of all I have an FCC on Den kingianum âTridentâs Babyâ which was my own creation from an outcross of âInfernoâ x âJazzyâ, on each of which I had previously received an AM. This was also the first FCC for this species in the AOS judging system For those who might think the above is bragging, I would quote the great Dizzy Dean-âit aint braggin if ya done itâ. I would urge anyone growing orchids to take part in all aspects of the hobby to enjoy the benefits to the fullest, and not get bogged down in the pros and cons of comparing different judging systems in the world. I have been observing the judges in the Northeast Judging Center for about 25 years, and it is my opinion that they are knowledgeable, fair, and evaluate each plant with an open mind. Furthermore, in this center, all judges take part in evaluating every plant, and do not use teams. This means that when a somewhaat obscure species is submitted, there will usually be a more experienced judge who is capable of leading the discussion on that plant. I would challenge those who might think they are easy to submit a plant and observe first hand the amout of research that takes place on every plant, and the hard-nosed discussion that takes place before a decision is made to either pass, or nominate the plant for a specific award. Wilford Nepune _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
