I have been wondering for a while already about the usage of "specimen size"
to describe an orchid plant.

Is this merely a subjective description like "really impressive size" or are
there any rules of what would be considered specimen size and what would
not? Would this be something for which orchid judges at shows have criteria?
Or is this just a term used informally?

I know that there are some plants about which there is no doubt that they
are specimen size (for example: Al's Equestris Mom, the picture of which Al
posted on abpo a while ago). And then we can safely say for some plants that
they are not specimen size, for example nobody would call a white Phal
hybrid with a leave-span of 8inches specimen sized. But then there are
plants for which it is less obvious.

I would assume that any criteria would have to vary by orchid type, of
course. Being primarily a Phal person myself, I am interested in any ideas
of how to tell when a white Phal hybrid for example has reached specimen
size. If there are no "objective" criteria, when could one dare start
calling a Phal specimen sized without being ridiculed by other orchid
growers?

Thanks,
Joanna