What is Orchid Judging?

There is no mystique about orchid judging. It is simply a process of comparing one orchid against others of the same name.

Where do they get the orchids to judge?

Yours and mine. Anyone can bring in an orchid to be judged. Judging is open to anyone and it doesn't cost anything. Just bring your orchid to a judging center on the designated time and place. All judging centers have judging once a month. The Philadelphia Judging Center has judging starting at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Again judging is open to anyone. You do not need to bring in an orchid for judging to watch the judging process.

What do you do if you have an orchid that you think is great?

First - if you have access to the AQ+; look your orchid up to see if it has been awarded. How does yours compare? If it is comparable or better, bring it to judging. If you don't have the AQ+, bring it in anyway.

Second - before bringing in an orchid, groom it. Make sure it is free of bugs. Clean the foliage and if the inflorescence needs staking, stake it. Prepare your orchid the same as you would for the show table or a show.

What do you do when you get to judging?

You will need to fill in a registration form for the orchid. Judging personnel will be glad to get the form for you. List the full name of the orchid, and if a hybrid, list the parents also. On the bottom of the form, list your name and address. Give the orchid and the registration form to judging personnel and they will put the orchid in line for judging.

What happens when your orchid comes up for judging?

Your orchid will be placed on the judging table. Prior to that, judging personnel will look up the orchid's name in the AQ+ to see if it has been previously awarded. The chair of judging will ask for comments on the orchid. A judge may request a reading of a prior award. There will generally be discussion on the orchid. The judging chairperson will then ask if there is a nomination. If there is, the orchid will be scored.

What happens if your orchid receives an award?

If your orchid receives a score of 75 or above, your orchid has received an award. The orchid will be photographed and a description of the orchid will be written. These will be sent to the AOS. In about a month you will receive a bill from the AOS. This is to cover the costs of the award. Your orchid will be written up in the AQ+. A photograph will be placed in the AQ+ along with the name and description. You will receive a certificate from the AOS for the award.

Bring your orchids in for judging, that is the purpose of the Judging Center!!