RE: shows, competitive gardening

Dear All,

I have shown flowers and foliage in various judged flower shows.  I've
won ribbons of all colors as well as some best in class and trophy
winners.  I also had many not so great entries.  I never did anything
besides good horticultural practice.  Grooming a plant means no bugs,
dirt, dead leaves, etc,  Yes, I would scrape off and scabs on the scape
(stem) of a daylily.  It just gives it a clean appearance.  There are
simple rules involved in showing plants that give uniformity to the
display i.e.- clear container, no leaves in the water, etc.  I wouldn't
arrange flowers for my house with dead leaves, etc.  Shows require the
same amount of attention to details.  I must admit that the dahlia
people may go to more extremes to get the perfect flower, but many times
it is the flower just picked on the way to the show that wins.

I enjoy horticulture exhibits for the education they provide, but I find
entering shows a lot of fun as well.  It's important to forget the word
"competition" and have fun!

Chris
Long Island, NY
Zone 7

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gardenchat@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On
Behalf Of ECPep@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 12:13 AM
To: gardenchat@hort.net
Subject: [CHAT] shows, competitive gardening

In a message dated 1/27/03 11:20:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,
cathyc@rnet.com 
writes:


> I hope not to offend. Hoping to learn. My impression of horticulture 
> classes in shows is that the exhibitors strive to produce the 'perfect

> specimen' of a particular flower (not certain if plants grown for 
> foliage are included). Again, my impression of what is required to get

> to that 'perfect specimen' is that the gardener must create artificial

> conditions to get that result. 

I am going to agree with your impressions, Cathy.  I was an AIS (irises)

member for a while and before the yearly show a session was held to
teach 
entrants how to win.  The individual bloom was brushed free of pollen
and 
debris.  The stalk was braced the night before to insure that it was
erect 
and the blossom was wrapped in a netting to keep it perfect in
transport.  If 
you think the winner plucked a good looking flower from his garden and
stuck 
it in a tall glass (regulation) container and had a good run of luck -
not 
so!

There were some who loved this competition, most skipped it.  It would
be a 
matter of choice that you would want to compete and then it is as any 
competition, the special joy of being a gardener is enveloped by this 
contest.  Competitive gardening is not new.  Pinching plants and 
one-ups-manship has been around forever as has the showbench.  If it can

remain friendly and if you want to do it, it remains your choice.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4 

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