If you like it and have seen others of the same plant, go ahead and enter it. It doesn't cost anything and it is a good experience.

Generally, flowers need to be round and flat. The flower needs to be bigger than most. Only one flower is judged although the buds and blooms are counted.

You can do a Google on awards and see what the size of the other awarded plants of that type is. A picture is included, so you can also see the shape. If you saw the picture of the Catt that Cj just bloomed, that is an example of what an awardable flower looks like. Maybe we can get that link again, Cj?

I have heard a lot of talk about flat, but this can not be the case necessarily with masdivella since they are usually more conical.

I did see there is no cost unless you win an award, kind of a weird way to do it if you ask me should be the other way around possibly. But the problem would be that it would be a semi costly trip for me to take plants rather than going for the day.

Also does anyone know the rules for taking orchids from NY to Canada and back?

Apart from award judging, the judges will judge the show according to the show schedule and you might get a prize in any case.

Look at the picture on the gallery (sorry it is a bit crummy) under reed stem epidendrum. None of the major prize winners were put up for an award and in any case i think you are getting confused between show judging and award judging.

That particular reed stem epidendrum would never get an award, but it got a prize for "culture or special beauty and appeal".

I agree with Richard, put your plants in the show for the experience.

I think I understand the difference between show and award judging. This show I am speaking of will be doing both. They state that by entering your plant you agree to pay the AOS fee for an award should you receive one, and that other prizes in addition.

I will be entering my plants in one or two other shows that according to the society are "just for fun" shows so I look forward to that.

Now only one is in bloom now but about 10 others are spiking so who knows which one will have bloomed by that time or still in bloom.

It will be exciting for a couple reasons, first off I have never had this many in spike and hopefully in bloom. And I have never taken orchids to a show. So I will be getting them in at least one of them.

If you really want to know what makes an "awardable" plant, how about volunteering to be a clerk for the show? This way, you get to observe the judges as they evaluate the orchids and listen in on their comments. It's a great way to learn and most shows are usually always looking for extra volunteers. You'll also meet a lot of the Toronto society members and judges.

Julie

Hum that sounds like an interesting option.

Are you going to the show? Do you have any recommendations for places to stay?

If I take plants and volunteer I would need to stay overnight which changes the cost of going to the show quite a bit than just going for the day.

I'm actually in Ottawa, 5 hours away, so I never actually get there, mainly because of the cost of accomodation...

However, if you bring plants to a show, you generally have to do so on the Friday and can only take them back on the Sunday afternoon, after the close of the show. If you're really only looking for a trip there and back, you would have to bring them to a straight judging session.

Julie

To get plants (even cuttings of non-Cites plants) there and back legally requires papers. Getting orchids there and back legally requires even more papers. I don't know the details but afaik, there isn't much (if any) easy route for personal houseplants. AOS has a bit of info on importation.

Here's that pic of my C. walkeriana alba on it's first bloom.

{{gwi:139300}}

-Cj