We see quite a number of amateur growers at our nursery during the flowering season. As one of our favourite occupations is cups of tea and discussions about orchids, we hear many interesting things. One thing that is often stated when an unusual species or more elementary flowers wins Champion of Show, is that the judges are not sure in their own minds what makes a good satyr, Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis or Cymbidium. Are they scared to make a selection from these commercial types for fear of picking the wrong one, which is on display for easy and instant comparison? Whereby the plant from left field may have no similar opposition in the show being judged?
Now I do not say there is any truth in this, however it is a regular topic of conversation. A recent article in this magazine suggested that with cymbidiums their potential as a pot plant should be considered. I think this is a little silly. We have supplied that market for many years, and I can assure you that the only people who know what makes a good pot plant are the people who buy them. Their requirements vary from suburb to suburb, size wise and colour wise. Indeed colour is more than likely the most important factor and seems to change from year to year. With the lead time it takes to bring a plant to flowering you need to make a lucky guess. I am sure that this is an area that should be avoided by judges. There is certainly no other field of horticulture that I know of where commercial use comes into the judging process.
There are enough problems for the judges to come to terms with without that.
New and trainee judges have a problem today due to the lack of exposure to a wide variety of quality flowers. There is no retail orchid nursery in the greater Sydney area where they can go and look at flowers at their leisure. There is a lack of exposure to the variety of quality flowers. This is no criticism of the current nurseries, it is simply the way the industry has gone.
I think this is a little silly. We have supplied that market for many years, and I can assure you that the only people who know what makes a good pot plant are the people who buy them. Their requirements vary from suburb to suburb, size wise and colour wise. Indeed colour is more than likely the most important factor and seems to change from year to year. With the lead time it takes to bring a plant to flowering you need to make a lucky guess.
One idea that could be followed up is for the leading judges to briefly explain to those present at the end of the judging why the Champion was chosen. This is a common practice at many agricultural and horticultural shows, and is deeply appreciated by the exhibitors. It gives confidence to all and definitely increases the judges standing.
I hope there is some feedback to all this.
Keith Wallace Nursery 