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I've run across quite a few Pommie orchid experts
in my time. The extent of their comments usually seem to be antithetical to the
breadth of their orchid knowledge! Your credentials would seem to
fit.
In response to Merv. As an AOS judge, I am happy to
make a comment or two about the Paph pictured on the cover of the June 2006
Awards Quarterly. Firstly, the picture is selected by a non-judge i.e. the
Editor. The flower in question is large (5 inches diameter) and has petals
exceeding the magical 2 inches in diameter, an area where greens are often a bit
weak. Yes, the pouch is small and appears to be lacking in smoothness. However,
the plant scored 83% so undoubtedly the judges, in their collective wisdom, took
this into account.
In matters of judging, I always defer to the
master, Ernest Hetherington, who has written widely for more than a half century
on the subject. In his late 80's, Gabriel Stowe please note, Ernest still knows
more about judging orchids than most of his younger contemporaries will ever
learn. We both deplore the laziness of many of the present day judge trainees
and their unwillingness to visit orchid nurseries and orchid shows at every
opportunity so as to expand their orchid knowledge. Of course some of the
knowledgeable trainees will counter with "where are these nurseries?" which
sadly, is becoming all too true.
Andy Easton
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