OK, I probably shouldn't bring this up.....but.....

[MrCym]

I notice this past SH blooming season just how pedestrian most of the Australian-originating Cym hybrids have been. While the Aussie enthusiasts are snapping up all the pendulous and spotted hybrids they can find, the old drones like Bryant and Barrie and.... keep churning out the same old.

At least the Three Amigos have new lines, some of their own inspiration and others from the NH. For all those Sydney-ites still rooted in things like Vanity Fair, the world has moved on! Even in WT types, the lack of imagination and sameness is staggering. If I see another Cricket winning Best in Show I swear I'll throw up. Things have to change and if the dopey judges don't enlarge their horizons, New Horizon will just move around them!

[richardb]

Not just for Cyms, but during my judging years I found that assessment seemed to be very regional. Judges had to judge what was there on the day and so often it was a case of assessing the best of the worst when no "stars" were present. Certainly here in the UK there did not seem to be an option not to award a class. Maybe this was because our BOC judging was based on a strict comparison between individual plants rather than the much stricter AOS syetem of quality of blooms against established form/texture and true to type.

[Gary S]

Grand Champion!!

[MrCym]

As I said.....

[Murph]

For a plant that is so free flowering, this is really a poor example of what it can do!. Unless they have taken flowers off just for the photo.

[Gary S]

A complete joke, there was another Cricket there that had more than 15 racemes all around the pot, flowers were identical - so go figure. Personally there would have been at least 20 orchids I would consider to be a much better contender for Grand Champion, but I am not a judge.

[MrCym]

That's become a badge of honor these days, Gary!

[Gary S]

I don't think these badges, awards and other prizes as judged by nominated judges means anything of real substance in the true orchid world today. Reliable and honest judging is a thing of the past. I am pretty sure people nominate to become judges these days to subtly advance their own standing and that of their friends when it comes to benching orchids for prize money, accolades and awards.

[MrCym]

Knowledgeable and honest judging...... seemingly a thing of the past! There always have been cheats and bluffers but today, they've proliferated.

[jjurlina]

To con a phrase, money is the root of all evil?