Re: Re:Iris Shows - Show Biz

Walter observed and asked:
> Iris show fanatics use many tactics of showmanship in order to win
>blue ribbons and the rosette for the Best Specimen of the show.  I am
>listing some I have observed and am wondering if any of the following
>tricks might be considered unethical.
>
> Section C-3 of the HANDBOOK FOR JUDGES AND SHOW OFFICIALS
>published by the American Iris Society is entitled "Exhibition Judging
>Tall Bearded Irises."  Grooming is discussed at length, and there is only
>one vague statement that touches on this discussion I am presenting as
>"Show Biz."  On page C-19 is the statement, "The Judge must refrain from
>accusing an exhibitor of over-refrigeration or forcing as these
>accusations are impossible to confirm."  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?
>
> Thanks for your comments!
>
>
> Walter Moores
> Enid Lake, MS 7/8
>

Walter--I can't see that any of the above would be considered unethical  in
themselves.  All one is trying to do is accelerate or decelerate the
blooms--we all know our gardens are going to peak either before of after the
show, never on the show morning.  Unethical practices would be trying to
alter the flower or stalk in some way, by adding to it (I've seen people try
to pin on an additional bloom to make a stalk more balanced) or changing the
color (spray paint? I have trouble imagining, but I've seen it happen in cat
shows).  But most showers realize that attempts to fool the judges, and
Mother Nature, are goiing to be glaringly obvious.

Barb in Santa Fe, still a long, long way from a show
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