We start another year of judging with the same set of guidelines. Remember, please have your plants registered and on the judging tables by 7:30 so we can start promptly! After you register your orchids, go see the mini-class or go inside to introduce yourself to our newer members. Judges need to start early in order to see our program.

Fill out the entry forms with your name or member # and the full name of the plant. We cannot award a plant without a name or an ownerless orchid. Orchids must be bloomed by you. Don't go to Home Depot & buy a blooming plant and expect to win an award! Culture awarded plants must be in the possession of the grower for at least 1 year. After all, this is what the award system is all about. Make your ribbons mean something to you.

If you see your orchid listed in next month's newsletter with no name by it, please notify David Schaffter , so he can record it. Give him a call or else e-mail him as soon as possible. Thanks.

Don't forget our exhibit in the Miami International Orchid Show during the first week in March. Let's work on our orchids so we have some beautiful blooms this year. Remember, orchids brought in for the exhibit are judged and will receive double points for ribbon awards.

One culture award was given this month. This year, Bert Pressman brought in a well-grown Dendrochilum wenzelii. It had 548 flowers on 20 inflorescences (click here for a close-up). Last year this month, Bert Pressman was awarded culture for this same Dendrochilum wenzellii. It had 29 inflorescences with a total of 271 flowers. The inflorescence count is down, but the flower numbers went up. Good growing, Bert! Other awards are as follows:

1st

1st

1st

1st

1st

1st

1st