I believe the articles published recently in the Australian Orchid Review by Keith Wallace and I have created lively discussions among members at some Orchid Clubs. Let us look at this whole issue of benching orchids for judging at exhibitions sensibly.
I have been involved in the judging of different forms of Horticulture and I can tell you that prior to exhibition, anything can and is done to present the exhibit in as near as possible to the expected perfect formation for that particular genus.
For many years I had a friend who was a fanatical Dahlia grower and exhibitor. I even helped him prepare flowers for exhibition. There was even a plastic tool that you could buy that was used to make each petal into the correct shape. You had to be careful not to bruise the flower parts or your exhibit would not be considered.
Indeed in all forms of judging some form of manipulation of the plant, animal or even person is practised. However imagine the humour that would occur if say in a beauty parade, the model still had a curler or two in place to make her hairstyle perfect.
Go behind the scene at a cattle show and see how the tail is tied in ribbons to get the required style. However, before going before the judges all signs of this are removed. To anyone involved in bonsai, they would know that there are wires that are used to train the plant parts to the desired shape. While you may see the plants for sale with the wires still in place, for exhibition they are removed. With bonsai plants you have to remember that the idea is to distort the plant but it still has to look natural.
And so to Cymbidiums; the flowers can be and often are manipulated by packing with tissue paper. Tissue paper, which leaves no evidence, is used in preference to cotton wool which leaves fibres on the flowers. Flower buds are spaced or turned by using cardboard or plastic to achieve a better show. All of this is quite legal but has to be removed prior to judging.
The rules used to say there should be no visible signs of manipulation; this rule is never enforced unless there is some cotton wool still in evidence, but the smarties know this, thus the use of tissues. However they are quite specific that the inflorescence / raceme can only be tied to the bottom flower. This is a sensible rule as it shows those viewing the exhibits to know what to expect should they purchase a piece of a similar clone.
Apart from the aesthetics, the rule should be enforced to protect other growers from being led astray. Take a look at the Grand Champion in the 2012 National Orchid Extravaganza at Dural, Cymbidium Golden Embers ‘Golden Teepee’, you can see that the raceme is tied using a cable tie to the top flower. Surely this is not where we all want our hobby to end up.
Keith Wallace Nursery 