Joseph Koss Award

History of the Award

Joseph William Koss (1917-1992) was a founding member and President the of Illinois Orchid Society, an American Orchid Society judge, and was the driving force behind the creation of the Chicago Judging Center.

To honor his efforts, and to recognize those excellent growers and plants, each year the IOS and Chicago Judging Center jointly recognize the grower and plant with the highest AOS judging point score awarded at an Illinois Orchid Society show, or regular session of the Chicago Judging Center with the Joseph Koss Award.

This award was established in 1992. The honorees are displayed below. For grower and award details, click on each image and mouse-over the enlarged image to learn more.

Joseph Koss Award Recipients

2023, Cattleya maxima 'Elegance' CCE/AOS, 95

2022, Cattleya loddigesii 'Michael' AM/AOS, 87

2021, Cattleya aclandiae 'Paul II' FCC/AOS, 94

2020, Phragmipedium Fritz Schomburg 'Nicole Ashley' FCC/AOS, 90

2019, Habenaria medusa 'Cat's Wiskers' AM/AOS, 87, CCE/AOS 94

2018, Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum var. album 'Sam's Choice' FCC/AOS, 92

2017, Paphiopedilum Ap Phillip 'Kandis' Emperor' FCC/AOS, 90

2016, Cattleya harrisoniana 'Kathleen' FCC/AOS, 93

2015, Cattleya warscewiczii 'Stewart's Meteor' CCE/AOS, 92

2014, Cattleya walkeriana var. semi-alba 'Michael' CCE/AOS, 90

2013 Cattleya warscewiczii 'Paul' FCC/AOS, 91

2012, Paphiopedilum Hilo Citron 'Alex Manuel' FCC/AOS, 90

2011, Dendrobium Mini Snowflake 'Janice Marie' CCM/AOS, 88

2010, Stellamaris pergrata 'Silas' CCM/AOS, 87

2010, Lepanthes thoerleae 'Lisa' CCM/AOS, 87

2009 Promenaea Meadow Gold 'Amore Mother Aery' CCM/AOS, 87

2008, Cattleya trianae 'Kathleen' CCE/AOS, 90

2007, Stenorrhynchos speciosum 'Sharon' CCE/AOS, 91

2006, Bulbophyllum rothschildianum 'Mary Beth Mickelson' CCE/AOS, 93

2005, Mystacidium capense 'Fox Valley Snowflake' CCE/AOS, 92

2004 Kefersteinia puchella 'Kyle' CCE/AOS, 95

2003, Nanodes medusae 'Fernbrook' CCE/AOS, 93

2002 Barbosella porschii 'Little Fingers' CCE/AOS, 92

2001 Epidendrum porpax 'Porpax Mountain' CCE/AOS, 94

2000 Coelogyne lawrenciana 'PeteRRR' CCM/AOS, 91

1999 Masdeviallia Confetti 'Sara Michelle' CCM/AOS, 88

1998, Phragmipedium Jason Fischer 'Velvet Fire' FCC/AOS, 91

1997, Vanda sanderiana var. alba 'Kathleen' CCM/AOS, 89

1996, Cattleya schilleriana 'Orchidglade' CCM/AOS, 93

1995, Dendrobium anosmum 'Doll's Delight' CCE/AOS, 92

1994, Masedvallia ophioglossa 'Megan' CCM/AOS, 85

1993, Phragmipedium besseae 'Fox Valley' FCC/AOS, 91

1992, Hartwegia purpurata 'ETC' CCM/AOS, 90