RE: Iris Shows - Show Biz

I agree with Griff on most points.  I know a number of exhibitors at
horticultural shows who use many of the methods listed.

On #9, it is not necessary to wedge a branch that toes in if this is
typical of the variety.  The bloom stalk on a show bench is judged
according to how well it is grown for that particular variety.  If the
variety has buds that typically toe in, no point will be deducted.  For
a variety for which this is not typical, it would be deemed a fault.  I
would think that a wedge would highlight this fault.  What do other
judges think?

Maureen Mark
Ottawa, Canada

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	J. Griffin Crump [SMTP:jgcrump@erols.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, January 22, 1998 12:16 AM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Re: Iris Shows - Show Biz
> 
> 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
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