Some example awards that are particularly nice. Enjoy!

For award explanations, see the appropriate page on the website of the American Orchid Society.

This is Pleurothallis flexuosa forma aurea ‘Three Jackdaws’ HCC/AOS. It is a rare yellow (golden) form of flower, whereas the ‘normal’ color is brown. Both colors have the hairy appearance, which makes the flower more interesting. This particular flower was unusually large for its kind, 0.8 cm wide by 1.5 cm tall. It was grown by Joe Sullivan.

The flower on the right is actually a Laeliocattleya El Rosario. It is a hybrid of Laelia anceps, which you can clearly see in the shape of the flower. The form and color are both particularly good, the flower has a clear and crisp look. This flower won an AM from the American Orchid Society. The plant was grown by Konnor Jenson. It was not a big plant yet, which promises a fantastic display when the plant is large.

A nice Paphiopedilum, anyone? This is Papiopedilum Liberty Taiwan. It looks like Magic Lantern (which is delenatii x micranthum) but it is actually hangianum x micranthum. The hangianum parent has flowers much larger than delenatii and indeed this flower is almost 10cm across. It managed not to inherit the ‘floppiness’ in the petals that hangianum tends to display. This flower received an AM from the AOS. Congratulations to Ian Rich for growing this beautiful flower.

We see a lot of Phragmipediums in our region. They do well here and quite a few are easy to grow, especially those with Phragmipedium besseae in the background, which usually turn out some shade of red. This is Phragmipedium Rouge Bouillon AM/AOS, grown by Ken Wilson. It has great form and a nice saturated red color. Many of these ‘reds’ like to grow quite wet. Their ancestors are essentially marsh plants.

The American Orchid Society recognizes work that is focused on the education of the public about orchids and their habitats. It particularly encourages the combined effort of education and orchid preservation, where the exhibitor brings the preservation of orchids to the attention of the public. An Education Certificate represents the recognition of this work. Ansel Fiddaman lives in the Bridger Canyon area and took pictures of the orchids and notes of their habitats. He presented his work at the 2019 Sacajawea orchid society show in Bozenam, MT.

This Fredclarkeara Desert Davison received a 87-point award of merit. It has outstanding form and color, good presentation, everything is right! The color is a saturated, dark maroon and the flower looked a felt like it was made out of  plastic. The flower should last for a long time, too. A picture is a thousand words. Congratulations to William B. Green for this nice result.

Cattleya pygmaea ‘Tiny Button’ is pygmy and tiny and colorful and has excellent shape. It also sparkled really nicely. It received an 83 point AM from the American Orchid Society. The plant is tiny too, the entire cork mount, partially visible in the picture fits in the palm of my hand. Nice growing, Kelly McCracken!

Another Cattleya: Fran’s Fuchsia Flash, which is milleri crossed with sincorana (both parents once upon a time were a Laelia). This cultivar is called ‘HDO Pink’ and received an HCC. It is a bright fuchsia, sparkling flower. The judges liked the balance and proportions of the segments of the flower. The plan was still small and when it grows up, it is likely to have more flowers and perhaps a bit larger flowers too. Also grown by Kelly. Congratulations.

Dendrobium trigonopus ‘BLM’ AM/81, CCM/85. It turns out that Den. trigonopus likes really high light (the leaves on this plant were partially purple) and it grows warm and finally it does not mind lower humidity. The flowers have a lot of substance and last a long time. This plant had 37 flowers. Not only well grown, but also good quality flowers with full segments. Jeremy Oversier and Lylah Brudos grew it in the Santa Fe area.