Hello everyone. As with all things orchids, April was a busy month for the Houston Judging Center.
Several of our judges drove to Houma, Louisiana, to judge the Terrebonne Orchid Society Show on Saturday, April 13. It is always a delight to visit with our friends there, not to mention the wonderful spread of food they prepare for our visit. There were three awards made during our visit.
Vanda Uralwan Belle ‘Logan Dineen’, HCC/AOS 75 pts, Award #20244115, presented by Karen Breaux
This Vanda had 11 full, slightly cupped flowers, white spotted burgundy, with added colors in the lip.
Phalaenopsis I-Hsin Spot Leopard ‘Pat’s Passion’, Award #20244116
This Phal. received a JC/AOS (Judges’ Commendation), which is not scored but is voted by the majority of participating judges. There were nine peloric flowers on a branched inflorescence. While not all peloric flowers are attractive, this straw yellow spotted raspberry flower had good form and intriguing colors.
AOS Show Trophy, Award #20244117
Awarded by unanimous vote of the judges, the Terrebonne Orchid Society exhibit was awarded the AOS Trophy with a score of 84 pts. The rectangular exhibit had a large variety of genera, and the color arrangement was straight from an artist’s palette.
On April 20, 2024, Houston Judges hosted a training seminar and judging for our neighboring judges from Louisiana, Dallas, and Alamo judging centers. It was an all-day event with Laura Newton, AOS’s Director of Awards, and David Sorokowsky of PaphParadise making presentations to us about how to better judge Paphiopedilums, bifoliate Cattleyas, and Encyclias. More than 40 judges attended, and Fr. Ted hosted a Friday evening social that was greatly appreciated. AOS judging took place after lunch, with four entries receiving awards.
Cattleya aclandiae, ‘Green Leopard’, AM/AOS 81 pts, Award #2024418, presented by Judy Kimball
This vibrantly colored, flat flower was obviously of good form and color and a single flowered plant. Aclandiae is a species in the Cattleya family.
Rhyncocattleanthe What About Jim ‘Louisiana’, HCC/AOS 79 pts, Award #20244119, presented by Al Taylor
Another single flower, highly unusual in unifoliate Cattleya awards, but with outstanding full form, and a brilliant golden orange with red striations color.
Cattleya schilleriana ‘James’, HCC/AOS 79 pts, Award #20244120, presented by Judy Kimball
Three striking flowers on one inflorescence, chartreuse blushed dark rose with maroon spotting.
Cattleya aclandiae, ‘Trudi’, HCC/AOS 77 pts, Award #20244121, presented by Judy Kimball
Yet another species Cattleya with three flowers on three inflorescences. Sepals and petals were described as elliptical, olive green blushed pink with randomly blotched oxblood, and a beautiful lip heavily overlaid fuchsia.
Our next judging in Houston is on May 18, and I promise that plants left at home will not get awarded. Verdad!
