I think the judges seem to place high regard for new innovative features and colors, rather than for things like form, branching, fragrance, and bud count. I sometimes love the new colors but at the same time dislike the form of a particular award winner. And I am with you, Andrea, on disliking most "broken" colors, as looking diseased. The only one of those I have seen that I definitely want is Brad's Midwest Pizzazz.
I also find that the edging on luminatas unfortunately highlights even the smallest imperfections in form. And form is still a problem in the luminatas, including the award-winners among them.
It is interesting to watch the annual Tall Bearded Symposium popularity poll. The ones that seem to have lasted year after year in the top one hundred seem to have beautiful form, wheras many of the color innovations rise and then plummet. So I don't think I am alone in cherishing good form and branching. I am so glad that Ghio, and now Brad, put high emphasis on these in their breeding.
