Discussion topic: Judging rules for reflexed

This article is aimed at chrysanthemum growers who exhibit at shows that are judged according to the National Chrysanthemum Society Code of Rules for Judging Chrysanthemums.

Introduction
At many of the 2004 early shows one of the main topics of conversation (and indeed controversy) was the application of the current Judging rules for reflexed blooms. 

It seemed to many exhibitors, experienced growers and other judges that time and again the recent rule change to make triangular shaped blooms a major (class A) fault was simply ignored by the judges on the day. 

On occasions other aspects of judging reflexed also seemed to be paid little adherence, such as "under-developed centres", "dressing out of character" and "blooms down in size for the cultivar". However, the topic being discussed here is "triangular shape". 

Triangular Blooms
Triangular blooms are regularly exhibited, but it is possible to identify various stages of "triangularity".  Take the following six diagrams that plot these stages from what is shown in the judging manual as one of the ideal forms, through to the stage before the extreme triangular shape shown above.

Acceptable form	Modern day forms			"Triangularity"

Time for a change?
When the judging rules were revised in the late seventies it is clear from the diagrams and the wording that popular cultivars of the day were embodied in the manual through their shape and characteristics. 

Times, and cultivars have moved on considerably in the last 25 years but the rules have not always kept pace. I say not always, but there are examples where the rules for judging have been modified to reflect changes in form of various sections of chrysanthemum. A prime example was published in the 2001 Summer Magazine where we see changes to the acceptable form of Charms and Cushion Mums to reflect the form of popular cultivars of the day. Yet in the same publication, we have the opposite, where changes to judging rules seek to penalise the form of the most popular medium reflexed cultivars currently available. 

The problem area is Medium Reflexed
One of the main problems, as I see it, is that the modern medium reflexed section is dominated by the John Wingfield family and blooms of this family will rarely, if ever,  be shown in any of the currently acceptable forms. The "Wingfields" typically produce blooms in the range shown above in "Modern day forms". Therefore, under current rules for judging, they should almost always be penalised - but they are not.

What next?
If the rules remain as they currently stand then judges must be reminded that they have to penalise exhibits that do not conform to currently acceptable forms. The National Society should seek to enforce this through publications, and seminars for judges and exhibitors.

However, I would prefer to see the rules improved to bring more clarity, precision and transparency to the process of judging reflexed through a more accurate reflection of modern day cultivars. Therefore, using the pictures above, I suggest the forms shown in "Modern day forms" are adopted as acceptable. 

The point at which "triangularity" should be penalised is when the bloom begins to taper before one quarter of it's overall depth is reached. 

Share your views
These are my views on what I perceive to be a problem. If you have a view on this subject please make it public by posting your comments in the Guestbook (link on the left side of this page). This will enable your views to be seen by other growers and exhibitors and hopefully an online debate will take place.