Judging at SAOC
Accreditation, awards, and how plants are scored across South Africa.
SAOC operates a national orchid judging system, standardised in 1990 to replace regional variation with a single set of published criteria. Accredited judges assess plants on form, colour, size, and cultural condition at affiliated shows across the country.
- 56
- Accredited Judges
- 1990
- System Standardised
- 21
- Affiliated Societies
- 6
- Award Tiers
Plants are assessed by panels of accredited judges against SAOC’s published judging criteria. Awards are conferred when a plant meets the required point threshold for its class, from a first Highly Commended Certificate through to a Certificate of Cultural Merit.
Form, colour, size, condition — judged against published criteria
AM/SAOC
Award of Merit
80–89 pts
Recognises a plant of superior quality — exceptional form, colour, size, and cultural condition.
FCC/SAOC
First Class Certificate
90+ pts
The highest flower-quality award — reserved for plants of truly outstanding merit.
HCC/SAOC
Highly Commended Certificate
75–79 pts
A plant worthy of recognition, a step below Award of Merit.
CCM/SAOC
Certificate of Cultural Merit
80+ pts
Awarded to the grower for exceptional cultivation — specimen plant quality.
CBR/SAOC
Certificate of Botanical Recognition
For the first exhibition of a rare or unusual species.
JC/SAOC
Judges' Commendation
For a distinctive characteristic not covered by standard criteria.
Judging accreditation is earned through a structured training programme run by SAOC. Speak to your affiliated society to begin the pathway toward becoming an accredited judge.
The full accredited judges directory is available to SAOC members. Log in through your affiliated society, or get in touch with the council directly.
Contact SAOC →See judging in action
Judging happens at every affiliated show. Visit an upcoming show to watch panels at work, or start the path toward accreditation through your society.