Judges’ Corner
Video Resources
Virtual Judging Updates
Don’t miss these great resources for virtual judging:
JUDGING UPDATE Virtual Houseplant Show – March 1
JUDGING UPDATE Virtual Design Show – February 22
Judging Forms
OHA Certified Judge Application Form
This application form is for newly graduated judges of OHA Judging Schools.
It enables a qualified judge to have their name added to the Judges List.
OHA Certified Judge Renewal Application Form
Judges are required to re-certify every 3 years to remain in good standing with the OHA.
Re-certification provides information to show that a judge is maintaining and improving
her/his knowledge & skills and continues to exhibit in flower shows.
Otherwise Certified Judge Application
Judges who hold certification in other organizations can apply to have their names
included on our Judges List.
Speaker’s Receipt for Judging School or Judging Update
This form provides a receipt for a speaker during a Judging School or Judging Update.
Grant Application for Funding of Judging Schools or Updates
The OHA has a fund that allows Districts to apply for partial reimbursement of costs
associated with the running of a Judging School or Judging Update.
Registered Judges Listing
Looking for a Judge who is certified by the OHA, or by other organizations? We have a listing of registered judges that you can search by name, city, District, or certification.
Judges who do not wish to be publicly listed, please Send us an email.
View the list
Answers to Your Questions and Quandries
There are many good questions and answers found in the 2024 presentation by the OHA Judging Committee.
JUDGING SPECIFIC CLASSES
Design Classes
Q. How do I judge a design with artificial flowers or foliage?
A. Read the schedule carefully if it is permitted in the rules then you judge based on the principles and elements. If the schedule indicates no artificial or says follow OJES then you would have to disregard the design but add a very kind comment that lets them know that either the schedule and or OJE does not permit artificial materials. Some fairs do have a section for a design done with artificial flowers and, here again, the elements and principles apply just like a design with live plant materials.
Fruit and Vegetable Classes
A. How do you judge a sunflower seed head?
A. It is a horticultural specimen and should be viewed as a Vegetable and or Fruit – One entry with a scale of points – Condition 40 Form and Color 30 Size typical of cultivar 20 Distinction 05 Named 05.
Perennial Classes
Q. In the ‘Any other Perennials Class’, would the following specimens be entered: Hydrangea, Spirea, Butterfly Bush, and a bedraggled Heliopsis? Are Hydrangea, Spirea, and Butterfly Bush considered Perennials?
A. Hydrangea, Spirea, Butterfly Bush are all Shrubs, Shrubs are defined as a woody perennial plant. SO yes, they are Perennial. You would also have to look carefully at the schedule to make sure there was no other class such as Flowering Shrub that they should have been entered in. Often an Any Other Perennial class is listed as Any Other Perennial (not listed above).
Photography Classes
Q. If a photography class asks for flowers, should it be interpreted as more than one?
A. An entry with just one flower should not be disregarded. You are looking for overall artistic merit of the entries.
Youth Classes
Q. How do you judge a “children’s” arrangement when it looks very much like an adult has done most of it?
A. This is a very difficult question. You don’t want to discourage children who have done all the work themselves, but you also don’t want to be accusing a child of getting too much help. As with adults, if it is on the table and was passed by the passing committee then you must judge it. There is no easy way other than to have a quiet word with the Show Chair afterward.
TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR JUDGES
It's Show Time
Q. Once a judge has made a decision, it has been recorded by the clerk, ribbon placed, and the winner announced would it be unethical for the judge to change their mind the next day and change the prize list?
A. Yes, it would be unethical and unprofessional. As a Judge, you need to carefully make a choice and once that choice has been recorded and announced, you should not change your decision.
Q. Should Clerks be talking while judging is ongoing?
A. OJES Page 24 Clerks should not offer Advice or unwanted information and should not follow judges too closely unless invited. The Show Chair or designate should be available. If a clerk is distracting, you politely ask them to stay back a bit and refrain from comment as it distracts you from giving full attention to the job at hand. A quiet word with the Show Chair afterward may help to make sure the Clerk does not distract in the future.
Compliance and OJES
Q. Are there any sanctions in place for judges found not complying with good judging ethics? Can a Society put questions of this nature to the OHA Executive?
A. There is no formal complaint mechanism set up by the OHA to deal with Judging Ethics. However, the OHA now has a Judging Committee so the concern could be communicated to the Committee for its consideration. The easiest way is to make sure you do not ask the Judge in question to judge again. Word does get around about a Judges reputation.
Tips for Judges
Q. When Judging scented Roses, what can be done to prevent scents from overwhelming your sense of smell?
A. Bring a few coffee beans in your pocket and smell them between the different entries. It helps to clear your nose.
Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards for Floral Design and Horticulture (OJES) Revised 2019 Edition Available Now!
OJES 2019 is a reference publication that covers a variety of topics related to the organization and running of a flower show. It includes schedule writing, information on classes of plants to include, and the standards regarding judging of horticultural specimens and floral designs. It addresses everything you need to know about staging a flower show and preparing your entries. The rules and guidelines in this book will be used by the judge to assess the quality of exhibits and the awarding of prizes. This publication is a joint effort of the OHA and GCO. OJES 2019 is used by Judges as a reference when they judge and is a training book for new judges. OJES 2019 can be ordered from the OHA Garden Shop
For a look at what’s new, please click here.
Upcoming OHA Judges Schools and Updates
Listed below are contacts and dates for Judges Schools & Updates:
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About the Judging Committee
The OHA Judging Committee provides guidance and support to the OHA to ensure sustainability and succession planning associated with judging and judges. The Committee is made up of the Chair, selected members, the Judging School/Updates Coordinator, and the Judges Registrar.
Ontario Judging Committee Contact List
Contact the Committee at: ohajudges@gmail.com
Chair: Penny Stewart
Members: Linda Bartlett, Debi Foster, Kathryn Lindsay, Jim Mabee, Catherine McGill, and Sharon Nivins
Judges Registrar: Sharon Nivins
Judging School/Updates: Jim Mabee
The Committee is responsible for
- ensuring consistency in the training, updating and use of OHA judges across Ontario;
- guiding and supporting the work of the OHA Judging School/Updates Coordinator;
- guiding and supporting the work of the OHA Judges Registrar in maintaining and promoting the OHA Judges Registry; and
- providing guidance on judging best practices (e.g. registry of Q&As).
It maintains contact with other organizations involved in similar work (e.g. Garden Clubs of Ontario, Royal Botanical Gardens, and Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies).
Judges’ Learning Library
The OHA encourages districts to work with our Judging Committee and our Judging School/Updates Coordinator to offer Judging Updates to help judges stay current. All documents are in PDF format.