Love that wildcat, nice color.

Allymarie

I echo Allymarie's sentiments, exactly.

I like the 'natural' way you grow them. I also like to see them ramble all over the place.

Nick

Thanks Nick. Judges like them staked and straight. But I don't like most judges. I give them enough support so they won't hurt themselves. Long spikes that are not trying to impress a judge have an arch which provides a waterfall affect. Most of my orchids are in pots that are in wooden baskets with a wire hanger. The wire creates many opportunities to tie off a spike or pbulb.

The leaves and the roots look healthy and happy.

Nick

Here is a little snippet from a judging handbook.
"The stem shall be sufficiently strong to support the flowers to their best advantage. It shall be long and may be straight, arched or pendulous but not twisted. The flowers shall be evenly distributed and well displayed without turning in, overlapping or bunching. The flowers shall be displayed clear of the foliage, and must not be staked above the bottom flower."
I love the judges when they turn up at the shows where I am the Marshal. The alternative (judging by a lay panel) is too horrible to think about.

We have judges that make rules as they go...worthless.

"But I don't like most judges. I give them enough support so they won't hurt themselves."
It is good that you have the welfare of judges at heart.

So, you are saying that members of AOS panels do not know anything about judging orchids. The alternative for your local orchid society is to appoint a lay panel to judge your next orchid show. You can save a few sheckles by not having to pay travel money, or morning tea. The last show cost $80 travelling + 50.00 for a light lunch. As I said above the alternative (a lay panel) is too horrible to even think about. I cannot imagine the extent of the moaning and groaning.

Arthur,
I did not see an opportunity to send a pm to you. There are some sensitive issues involved so I will not publish it openly. If you send me a pm I will respond with the details. It is a perfect catch 22. (my email link is up on my profile)

Support of the inflorescences. Long spikes unsupported may bend in half. Not the judges.

This post was edited by shavedmonkey on Tue, Sep 16, 14 at 20:00