Judging Brachy Hybrids

[Gcroz]

With the near arrival of my first brachy bloom, I was curious as to what standards I should look for from the flower to determine if it should go to judging. I have viewed pictures in AQ and while helpful, there are some particular questions I have. Here is what I'd like to know:

1. How "flat" should the flower be when viewed from the side?

2. How is clarity of potential spotting viewed by judges?

3. What might I miss when evaluating the flower? I.E. is there anything particular to brachy crosses that judges look for?

I do realize that every judge is different and that things can be subjective from one judge to another. I guess I'm looking for any advice that can be given, since I have never even seen a brachy bloom in person. Thanks in advance...

 

[NYEric]

Some judges like them to be triangular shaped. You want good substance, good color and flat segments also.

 

[Gcroz]

Some judges like them to be triangular shaped. You want good substance, good color and flat segments also.

I would assume that by "color" you mean a nice white. Markings should be a "raspberry" to "chocolate" color?

 

[NYEric]

Yep, depending on the parentage. Personally I like the blush shade spotting we've seen here.

 

[littlefrog]

As flat as possible. As 'round' as possible, if the flower isn't round, it should at least be full (well overlapped segments, no windows). I like to see a nice flat dorsal, they are often cupped and I'm not a fan of that. I'm also not a huge fan of 'ruffly' edges to petals, I like smooth. But that works in some flowers. The pouch has to fit the flower. Big flowers need bigger pouches. And it needs to fit the shape of the flower, nothing looks weirder than a pouch coming straight out of the flower at you. I've seen a lot of flowers where the petals are different sizes, that really makes it hard for me to continue looking at it for a quality award.

Markings... Well... That is going to be tough. If it is has a color, then that color should be clear and not 'muddy'. Whatever that actually means. If it has markings, those markings should be crisp, or evenly diffuse. Which I know is contradictory. Summary, if the judges like it, it is well marked... *grin*

For me, when I evaluate a brachy I am looking for most of the same things I am looking for in any other paph. In addition, I like to see heavy substance. I like to see a strong stem (not as common in brachy breeding!). I like to see a couple of flowers on a multiple growth plant. I like pretty leaves, but that isn't something that can be scored... So much of judging paphs is 'Wow Factor'. We see so many of them. Which is cool, I love paphs. But when you've looked at 150 in the show, whatever is on the table to be evaluated for AOS really has to pop out at you.

 

[Gcroz]

Thanks Littlefrog. That's precisely the kind of info I need!

 

[PaulOlave]

I would assume that by "color" you mean a nice white. Markings should be a "raspberry" to "chocolate" color?

 

[Rick]

I would assume that by "color" you mean a nice white. Markings should be a "raspberry" to "chocolate" color?

As LittleFrog alludes to this is a very subjective area, but what I've seen is that it needs to be different from the other 150 AM's already on the books rather than within some range of "raspberry to chocolate"

Your "wow" factor would be greater with neon green spots or maybe bright red. Or maybe a solid red with no spots at all to really stand out from the crowd.

Lately I've been seeing more "lateral awards" so maybe it won't need to stand out so much from other awarded versions of the flower.

 

[eggshells]

This might help you.

http://slipperorchidblog.com/?p=217