Here's the breakdown:
BEST IN SHOW/Best Semi-mini: Rob's Fuddy Duddy
Best AVSA Mini Collection: Rob's Jitterbug, Dolores' Royal Prince, and Jolly Joy
Best Magill Cup Collection:
Rob's Fuddy Duddy (Not pictured here), Shirl's Cranberry Smoothie, Rob's Hummin'bird, Ice Storm and Rob's Boondoggle
2 Best in Class
One Special Award/Award of Merit: S. tongwensis
Best Unusual Container
Runner-Up to Horticulture Sweepstakes
I know some of my nearest and dearest have already chastised me for boo-hooing before the show and then running away with all the awards. But, this is just another example of Murphy's Law. If I had extolled the greatness of my plants, I would've been knocked down a notch by fate. Three days before the show, there was no indication that my plants would have nearly enough bloom. I pulled out all the stops to get them ready, but it's a crap shoot, really. Some things work, some don't. I try to critique my plants realistically, but I did use to be an AVSA student judge, so I tend to critique my own plants more harshly than perhaps others do. And in all honesty, there were some really beautiful show plants that would have seemed just as appropriate on the winner's table. I'm grateful the judges were generous with my plants. I mean, who doesn't love to win? I felt that my plants lacked bloom, which they did to a certain extent but not enough to warrant a lesser ribbon color. Yes, there were many, many plants on the show tables with more flowers than mine. But, African violets in shows are judged on their own individual merits, and many things are taken into account (not just flowers). They aren't judged against each other until you get down to the "Best-of" awards. So, you never know. Every blue ribbon winner has just as much chance as any other blue ribbon winner to find a place at the winner's court. Kudos to everyone who made this a really special show.