Re: Iris Shows - Show Biz
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Iris Shows - Show Biz
- From: "* G* C* <j*@erols.com>
- Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 22:16:27 -0700 (MST)
Walter A. Moores wrote:
>
> . . . So, is it ethical to:
>
> 1. Refrigerate a stalk to suspend and hold the bloom for the show?
>
> 2. Heat a stalk in the bathroom to force open a reluctant bud?
>
> 3. Chill a stalk under airconditioning in the bedroom to hold an
> open bloom for the show?
>
> 4. Use a hairdryer to blow open a bud?
>
> 5. Wrap opening buds in tissue to prevent buds from opening until
> show?
>
> 6. Use an aspirin, Sprite, or Listerine in the bottle of water to
> maintain freshness?
>
> 7. Use ice water in the bottle of water to hold an open bloom?
>
> 8. Use warm water in the bottle of water to force open a bloom?
>
> 9. Use a pill bottle or wedge to make a bud tow out or to force an
> open flower on a branch away from the stalk for a better display of that
> flower?
>
> 10. Use a make-up brush in grooming your stalk?
>
>
Okay, Walta, I'll stick my neck out. I think all of the above are
ethical
except #9 in the case of a seedling, since seedlings are supposed to be
presented as they grow, including leaving the spent flowers on, cutting
the stem as near the base as possible, and the like. The use of any
artificial means to force a bud or a flower away from the stalk would,
in my opinion, misrepresent the actual habit of growth of a seedling. As
far as showing introduced varieties is concerned, I have seen printed
advice that advocates use of a wedge to force buds away from the stalk,
so perhaps this is accepted practice. What a knowledgeable judge might
think about this when looking at an altered specimen of a variety that
typically toes in, I don't know.
Griff Crump, along the tidal Potomac near Mount Vernon, VA
jgcrump@erols.com
