Outreach judging is a great opportunity to experience what orchid judging is all about! A team of AOS judges, led by Ed Weber, will attend our next meeting, explain the judging process, and review our show table to see if there are any worthy candidates. This is a great time to ask questions to learn and understand what characteristics make a flower or plant awardable.

You do not have to be an AOS member to exhibit a blooming orchid at an outreach judging and there is no entry fee. We do require that your plant have a correct species or hybrid name and be free of pests. It’s also a good idea to clean your plant up a bit (wipe off the leaves, and remove any dead leaves or old inflorescences), and possibly stake the inflorescence, so that the flowers are shown to their best advantage.

Plants are judged for different types of AOS Awards. It could receive a quality award, or a botanical award to a species, or you could receive an award for your fabulous growing ability. Check out the article in the February 2026 Newsletter for more information. Should it receive an award a fee is charged to cover administrative expenses with an easy way to pay for awards online.

*Text adapted from the American Orchid Society website page on Outreach Judging

https://www.aos.org/awards-judging/exhibiting-orchids/outreach-judging