Awards for Individual Plants

First Class certificate (FCC)-Awarded to an orchid species or hybrid which scores 90 points or more

Award of Merit (AM)-Awarded to an orchid species or hybrid which scores 80-89 points inclusive

Highly Commended Certificate (HCC)-Awarded to an orchid species or hybrid which scores 75-79 points inclusive

Judges’ Commendation (JC)-Awarded to flowers or plants, individually or in groups, for a distinctive characteristic of aspect of historical or other importance which, in the opinion of the judges, is worthy of recognition.

Award of  Distinction (AD)-Awarded once to a cross, exhibited individually or collectively, representing a worthy new direction in breeding

Award of Quality (AQ)-Awarded once to a strain (the result of a mating of specific cultivars

Certificate of Cultural Excellence (CCE)-Awarded to the exhibitor of a specimen plant of robust health and appearance with an unusually large number of flowers.  The plant must have been in the care of the exhibitor at least six months immediately prior to the award.  The plant must score at least 90 points on the point scale.

Certificate of Cultural Merit (CCM)-Awarded to the exhibitor of a specimen plant of robust health and appearance with an unusually large number of flowers. The plant must have been in the care of the exhibitor at least six months immediately prior to the award.  The plant must score between 80-89 points inclusive on the point scale.

Certificate of Horticultural  Merit (CHM)-Awarded to a cultivar of a species or natural hybrid with outstanding esthetic appeal that contributes to the horticultural aspects of orchidology. The entire plant must be exhibited and not just the inflorescence and the plant and flowers displayed should be in good condition and have sufficient flowers to judge the horticultural merit of the plant. This certificate may be awarded more than once if a plant has characteristics significantly desirable and different from other awarded cultivars. The distinctive features of the cultivar must be clearly described, measurements recorded and the country of origin should be noted, if known. The award should not be granted to a cultivar, which has previously received a Certificate of Botanical Merit (an award that has been discontinued). A score of at least 80 points on the point scale. This award is granted provisionally and filed with the judging center chair pending the exhibitor supplying full taxonomic verification by a taxonomist acceptable to the AOS as published annually in AQ Plus under the heading “AOS Taxonomic Authorities”. The name of the taxonomic authority must be included in the description when it is submitted. Although taxonomic verification need not be presented prior to an award being granted, if it was previously obtained, it should be accepted when the plant is judged. If such verification is not received within one year, the judging center chair must disallow the award unless there is satisfactory evidence that the question of verification is being actively pursued by a taxonomist. A species or natural hybrid shall not receive, at the same judging, a CBR and a CHM. Although taxonomic verification need not be presented prior to an award being granted, if it was previously obtained, it should be accepted when the plant is judged. Once an award has been cleared it will be allowed to stand, regardless of subsequent name changes resulting from taxonomic changes or award challenges. If such verification is not received within one year, the judging center chair must disallow the award unless there is satisfactory evidence that the question of verification is being actively pursued by a taxonomist. A species or natural hybrid shall not receive a CBR and a CHM at the same judging.

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