The Great Lakes Judging Center meets on the third Saturday of each month to evaluate orchids for AOS Awards.  Judging is held in room 125 of the Matthaei Botanical Garden, located at 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Phone: 734-647-7808.  For driving directions, maps, hours, and attractions at the Garden, their website: www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/ Individuals may bring their plants to the center for judging by 12:30 eastern time.  Cut flowers may be sent to Dennis Seffernick, 2100 Sherwood Lane, Swanton, OH 43558.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Visitors and exhibitors are very welcome to observe our education programs and judging sessions and to join us for a brown bag lunch.  Our December judging session, the Bizarre Bazaar, includes a luncheon party provided by the center and a raffle specifically targeted to our visitors.  More detailed descriptions of our events follow.

There is usually an educational program beginning about 11 am.  Recent topics include:  First Hybrids of Paph hangianum, Judging Pleurothallids, and Awarding Species (or Not).  Frequently, we look at images of recently-awarded orchids from throughout the American Orchid Society system and discuss the merits and weaknesses of each.

At both the judging itself and at the educational session, visitors are very welcome.

Complimentary coffee and refreshments are provided each month by volunteers within the group of judges. Feel free to bring your lunch.

The afternoon concludes with exhibitors having the opportunity to ask questions of the judging teams about why their orchids did or did not receive an award.

The afternoon concludes typically by about 3:30 pm.

June and November are unusual in that the judges convene at 10:00 am for their semiannual business meetings.  Although judging takes place as usual at 1:00 pm, there is no educational session in these two months.  December is unusual, too, in that it is our holiday celebration including a large Bizarre Bazaar.  The judging personnel provide a sumptuous holiday lunch open to orchid growers at no cost to them.

During the third weekend of June, the Judging Center hosts a special two-day Judging Seminar at an offsite hotel. This Seminar is open to the public.

Questions? Contact Center Chair, Dennis Seffernick at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .