Not being a judge nor having ever taken anything to judging, I'll look to
others for some insight here, but doesn't that latter example defeat one of
the purposes of judging in the first place?

I am under the (possibly false) impression that one purpose of judging is to
reward desirable plants (sort of a "reverse culling" process), which
ultimately leads to replication of-, and further breeding of those desirable
traits. In that example, the grower "deceived" the judges, thereby
potentially leading to the proliferation of the legginess.

(I'll also have to say that I have sometimes seen plants I'd love to have
get totally passed over at judging, so maybe I would have liked the
legginess!)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
..
"Pat Brennan" wrote in message
...
I have seen cut flowers awarded. Zuma used to do shows on the east coast
and his display would often contain cut flowers. Often he received awards
on these cut flowers. I was also at judging where a grower, who was
present, received an AM on a cut stem yellow Phal. I asked the grower why
he had brought just the stem and get this. Seems he had brought the whole
plant to judging the year before and the plant was passed on with the
explanation that the stem was too long for the plant and flowers making the
whole thing seem leggy. Cutting the stem to a more normal length turned a
leggy plant into an AOS award winner.

Pat