At a glance
RECORDED PROFILE DATA- Key AOS award codes
- AM = Award of Merit; AD = Award of Distinction; AQ = Award of Quality; JC = Judges’ Commendation
- Typical award number format
- Six‑digit identifier (e.g., 20224298)
- Primary AOS verification tool
- OrchidPro database (members) or public Award Photo Gallery
- Authority for post‑judging ID changes
- Society for the Identification of Taxa of the Family (SITF) findings
Understanding Orchid Award Abbreviations
Orchid labels often display a short code that tells you which society granted the award and at what level. Common AOS codes include:
- AM – Award of Merit (90‑94 points)
- AD – Award of Distinction (95‑100 points)
- AQ – Award of Quality (80‑89 points)
- JC – Judges’ Commendation
These codes are typically followed by “AOS” to indicate the granting organization. RHS awards use a different format (e.g., “RHS AGM” for Award of Garden Merit) and are recorded in the RHS Plant Register.8
Step‑by‑Step Verification of an AOS Award
1. Locate the award number or certificate
The award number appears on the printed certificate, on the plant tag, or in the exhibitor’s online record. It is a six‑digit identifier (e.g., 20224298) that links the plant to a specific judging entry.5
2. Search the AOS OrchidPro or public award gallery
If you are an AOS member, log into OrchidPro – the AOS database that stores photographs, measurements, and award numbers for every AOS award granted since 1932.1 Non‑members can use the publicly accessible Award Photo Gallery for the Angraecum alliance, which lists the award number, date, and a thumbnail image.1
3. Confirm the plant’s identification
Because orchid identification can change after judging, the Society for the Identification of Taxa of the Family (SITF) publishes “findings” that correct misidentifications. Look up the award number in the SITF listings; a finding will state the current accepted name and any changes.249 If a SITF finding has re‑identified the plant, the award remains valid but the label should be updated to the correct name.
4. Request or view the official certificate
After the award is processed, the AOS sends a certificate to the exhibitor. The exhibitor can download a printable version from the “My Awards” tab on the AOS website once the award is released for billing.5 The certificate includes the award number, award level, and a vetted photograph of the plant.
5. Verify RHS awards (if applicable)
RHS awards are not stored in OrchidPro. To verify an RHS accolade, consult the RHS Plant Register or the annual RHS Award List, which are available on the RHS website. The entry will list the cultivar or species name, the award year, and the award type (e.g., AGM, AGM‑RHS). No direct evidence was found in the supplied sources for RHS verification, so growers should rely on the official RHS publications.
Practical Checklist for Collectors
| Action | What to Look For | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Locate award number | Six‑digit ID on tag, certificate, or exhibitor invoice | Exhibitors’ Information Sheet |
| Search OrchidPro / public gallery | Match number, date, and thumbnail image | Angraecum – AOS award gallery |
| Check SITF findings | Any re‑identification notes for that number | SITF Angraecum entries (e.g., aloifolium, coutrixii) |
| Obtain certificate | PDF from “My Awards” after billing | Exhibitors’ Information Sheet |
| RHS verification | Entry in RHS Plant Register or RHS award list | RHS publications (not in supplied sources) |
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming the label is current. A plant may have been awarded under an older name; always check SITF findings for updates.
- Confusing award codes. “AM” is an AOS Award of Merit, not to be mixed with RHS’s “AGM”.
- Using non‑member screenshots. Public gallery images are low‑resolution; for detailed verification, members should use OrchidPro.
FAQ
Can an AOS award be revoked?
Yes. If a later SITF finding demonstrates that the plant was misidentified, the award remains on record but the label should be updated to the correct name, and the AOS may publish a corrigendum.
Do I need an AOS membership to verify an award?
Membership provides full access to OrchidPro, which includes high‑resolution photos and detailed measurements. Non‑members can still search the public award gallery, but the information is limited.
What does the “CBR” code indicate in a SITF entry?
CBR denotes the judging center that submitted the finding (e.g., Central/Baltic Region). It is part of the award reference but does not affect the award status.
Related terminology
- AOS
- American Orchid Society, the principal U.S. organization that grants orchid awards such as AM, AD, AQ, and JC.
- RHS
- Royal Horticultural Society, the UK body that records horticultural awards like AGM (Award of Garden Merit).
- SITF
- Society for the Identification of Taxa of the Family, which publishes corrections to orchid identifications after judging.
- OrchidPro
- AOS’s searchable database containing over 100,000 award‑winning orchid photographs, measurements, and award numbers.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Sources & references
- American Orchid Society – Angraecum award gallery, https://www.aos.org/explore/angraecum
- American Orchid Society – SITF finding for Angraecum aloifolium (Award No. 20224298), https://www.aos.org/awards-judging/sitf-findings/Angraecum-aloifolium-M-B-HCC-79-Pts-2022-04-14
- American Orchid Society – Exhibitors’ Information Sheet (award processing), https://secure.aos.org/media/Content-Images/PDFs/exhibitors.pdf
- American Orchid Society – Judging Tools (OrchidPro description), https://www.aospacificsouthjc.org/judging-tools
- American Orchid Society – SITF finding for Angraecum coutrixii (Award No. 20215001), https://www.aos.org/awards-judging/sitf-findings/Angraecum-coutrixii-Susan-CBR-AOS-2021-06-12