Re: Re: SHOW: Advance Prep

Char -- I place the stalks in wine or liquor bottles, using the little styrofoam things (plastic peanuts) to wedge the stalks tightly into the bottles. Then I place the bottles into wine or liquor cases/boxes, which have dividers for the individual bottles in them. I can usually put four bottles in a case/box, stuffing wadded newspaper pages into the empty spaces in order to stabilize the bottles. In this way, the bottles stand up firmly and the flowers don't brush against each other as the vehicle moves. I have an SUV, so I can put several boxes in the cargo area, placing 2 or 3 bricks to keep the boxes from sliding around. For the taller irises, I can put boxes on the floor in various parts of the passenger compartment, sliding the seats back and forth, as necessary. If the weather is quite warm, I crack the windows to ensure against wilting, but not enough to disturb the blooms. For REALLY tall irises, I cut lengths of thin bamboo from my yard, strap the stalks to the bamboo with twist-ties, enclose the base of the stalk in a water-filled plastic bag secured with a twist-tie, and lean the bamboo horizontally against the top of a seat. I have transported irises for more than 5 hours in this manner without having the blooms twist (toward the light) on the stalk.

As I have said before, one wants to begin saving up the bottles well in advance, since trying to empty too many of them too close to the show could have unwanted consequences. -- Griff

----- Original Message ----- From: "Char Holte" <cholte@wi.rr.com>
To: <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 5:09 PM
Subject: RE: [iris] Re: SHOW: Advance Prep


Hi,
How do you transport your Iris to the show.  What
kind of containers?
Char New Berlin WI

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-iris@hort.net
[o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of
Ranchiris@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 10:13 AM
To: iris@hort.net
Subject: [iris] Re: SHOW: Advance Prep

Griff's suggestion is a very good one, regarding
filling out the tags in advance.  It is very
helpful if the sponsoring club will pass out tags
& schedules in advance of the show.  Our Tucson
club does so & I  take full advantage.

I start cutting stalks several days in advance &
put a  paper label on each stalk with the name of
the cultivar, then I fill out  the entry tag
completely.  It also helps to do some of the
grooming  ahead, like any leaf trimming needed.

The morning of show - after the major stress,
which is just getting  the irises there undamaged
- I just have to get them into the containers,
give them a last once-over & attach the
corresponding tag.  I always  have a few I've cut
that just don't end up making it to the table, so
I have a  few wasted tags - but not many,

It's very important to remember to remove the
paper label - something  I have occasionally
missed doing in the rush to get them all in!  VERY
tacky to exhibit an iris with a paper label
hanging off of a branch!!  <grin>

I love irises & I love shows - all aspects of
shows.  I love  exhibiting, judging and just
seeing shows.  Watching people ooh and aah  &
answering questions is very satisfying.  Signing
up a new  member and possibly addicting someone
else with the "iris virus" is  exciting.

My favorite part of our shows??? At tear down, I
save a few my best  winners to take home & then
start giving away iris stalks to  passersby.  Most
of them can't believe they're free & the kids
carry them off like some kind of treasure.

Kathy Chilton
Tucson, AZ

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