Some how this seemed to be appropriate for a new thread so here we go.
Winter has made me lose my mind, kind of, so I thought I would drive over to the Judging Center and see what was happening.
I was able to sit in and listen to the discussions held by one team of judges and here is what I saw.






I found the process to be just as interesting as I had remembered from previous visits.
I think that most of us recognize Bc. Yellow Bird. It is Brassavola nodosa by Bc. Richard Mueller. This plant was pretty impressive for me to see. It had 17 butter yellow flowers on 4 inflorescences. Now I have killed two of these before and maybe, just maybe, I need to try again?!?!
According to my notes this plant got an HCC of 77 points.
It was very informative to listen to both the research and discussion involved. I think that I need to try another. I really liked the tubular lip and the burgundy spots.
Point worthy to note: it seems like my phone has intensified the yellow. These pictures seem like canary yellow rather then butter.

Oh, before I forget while my laundry is on. This was on the tables yesterday at judging. I think you guys need to see this.
This is Dendrobium Nagasaki. It is Den. Moniliforme, a compact white species, by Den. Sagimusume. I have no idea about what Sagimusume looks like but get a load of this.


I snapped a few pictures before judging started. I just could not get enough of this plant. You could hardly see the leaves!!
It did not come to the team I was listening to but I did hear some one inquire as to the award. A CCM of 84 points. I think that that might be a little low. I would have given it 1.36 gazillion points!!!

Now for a trip down, "What in the World Lane!"



This plant came in front of the judging team I was listening to. My first reaction was, "What is that?". Some type of Pleurothallis? A Maxillaria of some kind? Nope. If you look closely at the plant growth, it is indeed a Bulbophyllum. Bulbophyllum maxillare to be exact.
It is also known as Bulbophyllum blumei.
For what I overheard this species has a few awards, this one had a total of 6 flowers and four buds. I did not have a clue as what could be done with this plant.
There is a cultural award for a huge plant with 90 flowers and buds. This one had 10. I guess that given the decent plant size, it did not have enough flowers. There was a single HCC award but as a judge astutely pointed out, there was browning at the tips of the flowers on this plant.
It was not awarded but I figured that I would share my encounter.

Lovely share, Nick!
I don't think I ever saw a Den moniliforme blooming like THAT! Wow!

Pretty Yellow Bird too and yes, I know this lovely Bulbo as blumei!

This plant was also at judging yesterday. I believe they said it was Paph. Ang Thong x Paphiopedilum niveum. There has been a good deal of uncertainty over Paph. Ang Thong in my mind. For years I thought it was a variety of niveum. Then recently people claimed it to be a variety of Paphiopedilum godefroyae. So as confused as I am, I am sharing this beautiful flower with all of you.



So no matter what it's name is, it is truly gorgeous. Here we go with my I-phone again. Unlike the Yellow Bird, this looks better then it did in person.
Just drop dead beautiful!!!

It is beautiful!

Who would not like to have this bloom in their collection? That's what I want to know.
I always adored this group within the Genus Paphiopedilum, niveum, concolor, leucochilum, delenatii, godefroyae, bellatulum, etc. But niveum may just be the prettiest!!