Show Judging Guide

2022 SCCPE Show & Sale Guide to Judging 

Sherman Library and Gardens Corona Del Mar, CA June 18-19, 2022 

We are thrilled to have you as Judges this year and sincerely thank you for accepting our invitation. We have not yet established criteria or qualifications for judges so this year’s group of judges come from various backgrounds but all have horticultural experience. This guide will eventually evolve into a full handbook. Until then, please accept this document as a guide to what SCCPE expects from our Show Judges. 

SCCPE’s purpose of having a judged show is to provide the visiting public with exemplary examples of carnivorous plants (CPs) from around the world. Show entries are intended to generate enthusiasm for all carnivorous plants in visitors and members of the club. With this in mind, we strongly value variety, horticultural excellence, and creativity. We hope this show will provide Club Members motivation to advance the breadth of their carnivorous plant appreciation. 

Categories 

Judges are being asked to score their top three selections within each category. There will be no further subdivision of divisions, sections, or classes. The nine categories for the 2022 Show are: 

● Sarracenia 

● Drosera/Drosophyllum/Byblis 

● Pinguicula 

● Darlingtonia/Cephalotus/Heliamphora 

● Utricularia/Genlisea/Aldrovanda 

● Nepenthes 

● Dionaea 

● Living Art 

● Visual Arts 

The categories are self explanatory. Some genera have been grouped together in an attempt to balance the number of entries in the various categories. Members will be submitting specimen plants with labels of species or variety names identified (if known). Species will not be distinguished from hybrids, varieties, or cultivars. 

Based on feedback from last year, we split art submissions into Living and Visual. The Living Art category includes mixed plantings, terrariums, arrangements, etc with the focal material being, or having been, living plant material. This may include cut flowers, preserved pitchers, etc. 

Visual Arts entries are made of artificial materials and may include photos, paintings, drawings, sculptures, digital illustrations, literary works, etc. 

All submissions are from SCCPE members, only. There will be no distinction made between hobbyists and commercial growers. Judges may not participate in the Show. 

Judging Hours 

Judging hours will be 8:00am to 9:30am on Saturday, June 18th, 2022. All judging must be complete by 9:30am with no exceptions. A hard copy scoring sheet will be provided. Please check in as early as you can to give yourself ample time to judge. 

Scoring 

Judges are to provide scoring for their top three picks from each category. Cumulative scores for selected plants will be tabulated and the highest scoring entries within each category will be awarded first, second, and third place ribbons. Best In Show will be a single vote from each Judge. 

Scoring will be on a scale of 1 to 10 for each criteria. 

Scoring for the seven plant categories shall be weighted by criteria in the following manner: 

Horticultural Excellence 40% 

Coloration or Markings 20% 

Difficulty of Cultivation 15% 

Maturity 15% 

Presentation 10% 

100% 

Consideration for inflorescence should be accounted for in the scoring of Coloration or Markings. 

Difficulty of Cultivation is intended to recognize the differing degrees of specific needs of plants within a category and not intended to represent value or rarity of certain species or varieties. 

Consideration for the size of the specimen should be accounted for in the scoring of Maturity. 

Living and Visual Art category scoring will be weighted by criteria in the following manner: 

Representation of Subject 30% 

Creativity/Originality 20% 

Difficulty of Composition 20% 

Inspirational Value 20% 

Quality of Workmanship 10% 

100% 

Art Entries must represent carnivorous plants. As such, the connection of the submission to a carnivorous plant must be evident and accurate. Abstract art is not exempt but there should be no question the submission is of, or related to, carnivorous plants. 

SCCPE is hoping to inspire enthusiasm for carnivorous plants. Art Entries are no exception and value is placed on their ability to inspire visitors to deepen their curiosity of CPs and explore different ways to express their appreciation. While very subjective, Inspirational Value should be given a score to make attempts to quantitatively compare submissions. 

Quality of Workmanship should appreciate various efforts behind submissions. To be included for consideration is if an entry is physically brought to the Show. A sculpture of a CP brought to the Show for the public to enjoy should be given greater merit over a photo submission of the same sculpture. Or, a mixed bog planting that is brought to the show vs a photo of the same planting. 

Awards and Prizes 

For each of the nine categories: 

● First place shall be awarded a blue double rosette ribbon and a $100 gift certificate 

● Second place shall be awarded a red rosette ribbon and a $60 gift certificate 

● Third place shall be awarded a yellow rosette ribbon and a $40 gift certificate 

Best In Show shall be awarded a large custom ribbon and a $200 gift certificate. The winner’s name and entry information will be added to a perpetual trophy that will remain in the custody of SCCPE. 

Special Thanks SCCPE would like to recognize and thank our Show Sponsor, California Carnivores for donating all of the prizes for this year’s Show. We are humbled by the generosity and support shown by Damon and Daniela. 

And, of course, THANK YOU to all of you for agreeing to participate as judges. We are only hobbyists trying to make a difference in the local CP community. Your expertise is what inspires us to broaden our understanding of these fascinating plants. You are the pillars of this hobby on which we build this community. SCCPE would not exist without folks like you. Thank you.