"Brand new from Andy's" that's one ribbon you will have to hand back. Lol.

I have this continual battle with new growers.

Arthurm. "where are your orchids?"
Novice Class Grower. "They're not good enough to show."
Arthurm. "Rubbish"

Congrats on the unexpected ribbons and for the brag from the hubby!

You need to send the P. Tetra Bell south to live. It's a warm grower and would prefer living in KY or you could just put it on your trade list - lol!

Brooke

Congrats, very happy for you. So, where are the pics?

How neat is that. Enjoy the thrill. BTW - I was a 4-H girl in elementary school. :>)

Marci

Congratulations. Always nice to get ribbons and especially the DH brag.

Good growing, whitecat. A ittle recognition from the orchid world is wonderful, and DH bragging about you -- priceless.

Thanks, y'all.

Marci - please tell my DH that "orchards" are not vegetables. You'll have the 4-H voice of authority. LOL

WC8

That is very cool. Congrats! Now you have a reputation to live up to and the next showing must be better than the first and you will be expected to enter more shows and ............

In other words, the pressure is ON!

Yup, former 4H person here too.

Congratulations!!! Can you post pics?

Sheila :)

Congrats ! What a great day for you ! Pictures, we need to see some pictures .
by the way, which was a bigger thrill, the ribbons or listening to your DH brag about you ? : )

WC8,

How fabulous! Don't you feel like a 'real grower' now?! You must post pics of your orchards. Give DH a big kiss for me! (I wasn't in 4-H, I was a 'Camp Fire Girl').

Congrats 100 times over!

Carolyn

Congrats - no you don't have to give Andy's the ribbon its not AOS judging

Ribbon judging is a beauty contest -- must have been in great shape -- flowers beautiful

Hope you had a corn dog for me

How wonderful! I wouldn't dare enter any of mine. The blooms are plentiful this fall and looking great, but the plants look like they've been run through a paper shredder because of the severe mistreatment the past 3 years.

Now you need to set up a trophy display!

Sharon

Wow. Your comments add to the honor. Thanks.

Disclaimer - in the meantime, society members have told me that loads of awards are given at this show. Maybe it makes the display look better for the public. No matter. DH is impressed.

Sunita - DH's bragging made my day/week/month/year/decade. He wants to frame the ribbons!

Kevin - Well, I might start entering plants in the monthly orchid society competition. Winter Carnival may be the only local AOS show.

As for posting the pix, today I'll call Verizon support because following the directions isn't getting them from the phone to my e-mail, and DH is a computer guy.

Sharon - As I understand it, judges are supposed to look at the flower only. That moquettianum has 2 old leaves on it that are just starting to yellow and are pretty beat up. I considered cutting them off but thought they might still be effective.

Pamelaw - I had 3 corn dogs for you and no telling how many for everyone else on the planet. They're my fave Fair food.

Brooke - Do you have a Tetra Belle or near relative? The fragrance is heavenly. Too bad it's happy here with our warmer summers.

Carolyn - Kisses delivered. :)

DH thinks I should be able to make loads of $$ by selling or breeding my "famous orchards," and we can take a special vacation from the proceeds. His words are like music from the Orchid Angel Choir, and it's been wrenching to clue him in.

Thanks more. I couldn't have done it without you. Whitecat8

What is ribbon judging? Do you get a ribbon? or better still, some money? If it not judged by AOS Judges, who are the brave souls who put their hands up.

And, most important, how long should you own a plant before you put it on the show bench?

Congrats, Whitecat8! We want pictures!
Olya

Hi, Arthur,

In our orchid society, it's customary to drape a ribbon around a leaf of the plant - blue for first place, red for second, and white for third. Each ribbon is about 6"x2" and has gold lettering:

FIRST
PLACE

[outline of State of MN w/ cyp inside]

ORCHID
SOCIETY
OF
MINNESOTA

Attached to the back of the ribbon is a small white tag with lines for the class to which the orchid belongs, the prize (none for this show), the person who received the award (the grower), the date, and the signature of the judge.

No $$ for winning at this show. You get to keep the ribbon.

As for judges, people who have a lot of experience judging Paphs or whatever at orchid society meetings typically judge those plants. Often, these folks show at AOS shows. Usually, less experienced members tag along so they can learn. This is a very low-key, informal affair.

In our orchid society, there's no rule about the length of time someone owns a plant. My first year as a member, I asked about that, too, and was told I could go out into the retail garden center, where we hold our meetings, buy an orchid plant, and enter for judging that day.

I don't know how it is for other societies or shows. My friend's plant that won 1st place had been purchased in bud from a commercial grower a couple of weeks before. Again, we were taking our plants to be used for color.

As for how long you should own a plant before showing it - dunno if shows and other societies have rules or guidelines. For me personally, it would be a minimum of one reblooming under my care. How about for you? And what are your shows like?

WC8

WC8 and Arthur-

Great question! This would be a great thread on it's own:
Tell us about your Orchid Shows and the rules-

I'll start that thread...
Carolyn

In our shows, ribbon judging is done by the AOS judges, it just isn't AOS award judging. I used to clerk for the shows (back when I was much younger, and was actually kinda being groomed to joing the AOS judging program). Basically, I got to learn a LOT about stuff from very experienced judges and then run aound putting ribbons and trophies in displays.

If you have a chance, volunteer for clerking at a show, it's loads of fun. Even better, if there is a judging center anywhere nearby, go and watch. It's really fascinating.

P.S. I'm pretty sure I'll eventually end up getting into judging, maybe during grad school.

-Cj