Text: Gordon Giles
I finally had my thoughts on judging ‘Champion of Show’ down on paper when the next edition of Australian Cymbidium Scene arrived.
There on the front cover was the Grand Champion of the Melbourne Orchid Spectacular, and yes, it was a species. Now I am not in any way saying the judges were wrong, as that was their opinion and they are the final arbitrators. However, I believe that the Grand Champion of any horticultural or agricultural competition must be the one that is closest to the accepted standard of excellence for that genus.
Now the obvious question is, “Why should my opinion count?” I have been a commercial nurseryman for 60 years plus, and an orchid judge since I was in my twenties. I have judged and been a team leader at a number of orchid conferences. I have judged numerous competitions other than orchids. I have always felt that I should learn as much as I could about the art of judging, no matter the subject, hence my previously mentioned attendance of cattle judging.
Always, but always, the champion of shows is the one that is closest to the accepted standard of perfection, be it livestock, floral arrangement, or horticultural show.
As we all know, Cymbidiums are getting close to the end of their development. To those who say there is no limit, look at say, white and pink Phalaenopsis, mauve and white Cattleya, and more than likely, complex Paphiopedilums. There are limits and when a plant is close to its limit, this should be recognised when the plant is exhibited.
Cymbidium hookerianum is not the easiest plant to grow and flower (especially in the Sydney basin; I believe we do not get cold enough). This fact can be by popular choice recognised, say, as a Champion Species, but I do not believe as Champion of Show, unless of course there are not any modern hybrids on show or in show condition.
I believe that one of the purposes of orchid shows (there are several) is to help educate the public and hopefully encourage them to take up the hobby. When there is some plant that does not conform to the accepted standard of excellence, there is confusion.
We have people who are new to orchid growing come to the nursery with queries as to why did this or that plant win the show. We always say that the judges obviously had a reason. It would be nice to be able to explain that as the plant in question was the one nearest to perfection as possible, that was a good decision. Then we could go on to say how the flower had a full round shape, the labellum nicely balancing the rest of the flower, the colour was even, and the arrangement of the flowers on the raceme was just right.
That is what a champion should be. A good example was the Champion of the Cymbidium Club of NSW show at Dural. It met the criteria and everyone was in agreement and impressed.
Keith Wallace Nursery 