| Q I
am becoming interested in my orchid hobby and would like some information
about judging. Some of the shows I visit have not been judged and at
others hobbyists have brought their plants for evaluation. I wonder
whether you must be a member of the society that is sponsoring the show or
if you have to be a member of the AOS to get your plants judged.
Presumably there is a set of guidelines? A First, anyone can enter a plant for AOS judging at an AOS-judged show or at the monthly judging sessions held at various locations, which are listed in each month’s Orchids. The only requirement is that exhibitors agree to pay the appropriate award fees in a timely manner if their plants are fortunate enough to receive an award. I believe most societies would welcome entries from anyone for their shows, providing the plants are free of disease and in place by the closing time for entries. Some societies may have special trophies or prizes restricted to members only but this is not common. At shows like your local Santa Barbara one each spring, there is no host society as such and all exhibitors are eligible for all trophies. Get involved with a local orchid group; seeing the show scene from the inside out is much more rewarding and you will benefit from the advice and fellowship. The guidelines and point scales for AOS judging are outlined in the AOS Handbook on Judging and Exhibition (10th Edition), which is available from The AOS BookShop (toll free 1-877-ORCHIDS, 561-404-2020; fax 561-404-2100; e-mail TheAOS@aos.org). Your local Affiliated Society may also have a copy of this book in its library, which is updated every five years. The next edition is due out in midsummer 2001. — Andy Easton. |
Reprinted, with permission, from "Orchids" - The Magazine of the American Orchid Society, April, 2001.