Need some help understanding plant tags

[Orchidementia]

I understand the basics of the tags (when present); generally the least information it contains is the genus/epithet; sometimes the parents are included as well (or sometimes the parents are listed but grex is not, but that's easy enough to look up if a name has been registered).

What I'm not completely sure of is the "AM/AOS" that some tags list. I have the suspicion it has something to do with the American Orchid Society, but their web page is not forthcoming. Sometimes there's a date - unflasking, perhaps?

[kmarch]

AM/AOS or other similar designations indicates that plant has been awarded by an orchid entity/authority/institution (not really sure what to call them).

The first 2 letters indicate what award was given. The most common flower quality awards, from lowest to highest are:
HCC - High Class Certificate
AM - Award of Merit
FCC - First Class Certificate

Other possibilities are awards for cultural excellence. Since you're in America I'll give the cultural awards given by the American Orchid Society, from lowest to highest:
CCM - Certificate of Cultural Merit
CCE - Certificate of Cultural Excellence

You've figured out that the second set of initials represent the agency that granted the award. Commonly seen ones are:
AOS - American Orchid Society
RHS - Royal Horticultural Society
AOC - Australian Orchid Council

And there are a few others too.

[Orchidementia]

Thank you. Could the date be when it was awarded, if there is an "AM/AOS" or other award noted? I'll double check, but I think there's dates on tags without "**/AOS" as well. Not that it's terribly important (that I know of); mostly curious.

[jerrymeola]

the only time I have seen dates on tags is when the grower adds it as a reference to himself. Could be date of re-potting, flask removal, actually most anything. You can only ignor it.

[JLu]

Minor correction. HCC is Highly Commended Certificate.

It isn't common in my experience for the award date to be listed on tags. I agree it's probably something else and there are enough possibilities that guessing probably won't work out.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

Thank you. Could the date be when it was awarded, if there is an "AM/AOS" or other award noted? I'll double check, but I think there's dates on tags without "**/AOS" as well. Not that it's terribly important (that I know of); mostly curious.

The award dates usually do not appear on the tags. In fact, I've never seen an award date on a tag. I agree with Jerry on what the dates are.

Thanks for the HCC correction JLu. I should have known better given that I'm an orchid judge (well technically only and Associate Judge). High Class Certificate...hahaha...that's reserved for the orchid that carries a Prada bag.

[Orchidementia]

{pedant}"High class" is not synonymous with "high priced" ... example below{/pedant}

[kmarch]

True, but please, we're talking Prada here. I think it's safe to say Prada is high class.

[Orchidementia]

Well, shoes yes. Bags ... Fendi.

[kmarch]

OOOOooo.....there you go...ok. I won't argue with that. Amazing the things I learn from watching just a little reality TV.