Preparing and presenting a plant for
American Orchid Society (AOS) judging.
By Stephen Benjamin
Everyone who grows orchids sooner or later becomes particularly enamored with one or more of their orchids. It’s at this point that many want to take their plants to be judged for possible AOS awards. Entering the plant into an AOS judged show is a great way to have it evaluated and possibly considered for an AOS award. But what happens if there is no convenient show when the plant blooms? This is the time to take it to the regional AOS center for consideration. In the Mid-America region there are six such centers (and more throughout North America), with at least one within a reasonable driving distance to you. Each one meets every month, with the schedule, location, and contact information posted in the AOS magazine Orchids. A list of the Mid-American ones can also be found at the MAOC website http://midamericanorchids.org/maoc_judging_sites.htm .
Whether you take a plant to a show or a regional judging you should prepare your plant to be at its best. As the inflorescence is developing, you should make room for it to develop naturally and stake it if necessary. Don’t turn or move the plant, except as absolutely necessary, so that the flowers will orientate and present themselves naturally. With some plants you may need to gently aid the opening of flowers or their orientation slightly, be gentle and subtle. Do not manipulate the flowers or inflorescences too much as they can be disqualified if they are made into unnatural orientations.
Clean the plant and leaves. You do not need to make the leaves glossy or shiny, but they should be clean. Trim or remove dead pseudobulbs, dead leaves, old inflorescences, etc. Do not get carried away, it might work against you for a cultural award. If the plant typically has flowers that are open all at one time, but you have a one that is just beginning to fade, leave it on the plant. If the flowers are naturally sequential, that is some are opening just as some are dropping off, then you should remove the faded flower(s).
Safely transport your plant to the show or judging. For this, you may want to temporarily securely stake your inflorescences and secure your plant in a box. You should also cover the plant in inclement weather.
If the plant is at an AOS judged show, entering the plant properly into the show is all you need to do to have it screened for possible AOS judging. If you take your plant to a regional judging, ask someone to help you enter your plant the first time, as each center will have there own specific requirements. You should have your plant there early enough to un-pack it, remove any temporary hardware, and fill out any required entry form, all in plenty of time prior to when judging is scheduled to begin. Typically an entry form will ask you to fill out the name of the plant and/or the hybrid cross, the date, and the clonal name if the plant has one. If the plant is not a named clone, you might be asked to enter the clonal name that you would propose for it, if it is awarded. If the plant has received any prior AOS awards, you must include them on the entry form, next to the name. Do not enter any information that might identify you as the owner. Leave the form next to the plant or give it to the registrar (whichever is the local custom) and the registrar will record it and assign it an entry number.
Now your part is done. You can read, get something to eat, go shopping, etc. while the judging occurs. Or you can ask the chairman if you may observe the judging process. The chairman will of course evaluate the space, work load, and available judges, but they can often accommodate an observer. Please remember that you must return and pick up your plant up when judging is finished.