This is an interesting discussion. Thanks. I am coming around to the notion that this plant should not have been pointed in the first place. Generally, I have historically hated.....Ooops,....I "disliked" when the judges say "bring it back next year", when they decide that the plant is not putting out it's best effort, because technically, they're not supposed to be judging the plant, only the flower.
Even though I've said I like this flower very much, I do think that this plant is a very good example of why cut flowers should not be submitted for judging and why plant health/condition should be included in what helps judges decide if a plant even deserves to be pointed in the first place. If cut flowers were not allowed....and whether or not a plant was strong and in good health, were factors in deciding if a flower should be pointed, people would be encouraged to be better growers and not waste anybody's time with inferior plants, regardless of whether or not they have superior flowers. After all, while the judges are not in control, what's the point in awarding a plant that looks like it is likely to not survive for long after the judging?
I suggest that a plant like this, with a beautiful but, small flower and on an abnormally short stem, produced by an inferior plant, should be given an "honorable mention for future potential". Such a thing does not exist. I think it should...as a means to be encouraging to growers. It would recognise and point out that the judges see something special and potential; but, the plant has not quite proven itself yet and it needs more good quality cultivation to see if it will improve and become true award quality. Since this would be said to the owner without the plant being pointed, it's not actually an award and there would be no "award payment" required. However, it would be a good way, on a personal level, for the judges to recognise a plant and encourage the owner to work on improving it's cultivation in order to see if truly awardable qualities can be brought out.
I also agree that it is time for the judging system to be expanded to include a sub-category for recognising high quality, miniatures where a "normal" sized version existed first. A lot of growers value and want to own miniature plants and a lot of breeders are working on producing some really beautiful miniature plants. It could be called the "Bantam class". This category would need a separate set of rules/guidlines, so that miniatures are not compared to other normal-sized plants. Having the potential of winning a BFCC/AOS (Bantam First Class Certificate), would encourage breeders to put in the time and money in an effort to create excellence in a miniature version of many popular normal sized plants. I think promoting miniatures in important. In this day and age of high energy costs making greenhouse bench space a lot more valuable and the high cost of shipping, superior quality miniatures would fill a growing demand for both pot plants and hobbyist-collector, exhibition plants.
