Re: Subject: Re: SHOW: English Boxes

>just to see a perfect blossom (and most stalks have one)  
>does not give a complete picture of the worthiness of a plant -- which could 
>have a snakey stem. b uds tight against the stalk, etc etc!.  It is 
>misleading the public and actually a mis- service to the iris world.

Hi Rosalie,

I understand your reservations about the display of single blooms in 
English boxes, but I would dare extend the same reservations to all 
irises exhibited on the show bench in any method of display.  I've never 
been to an iris show, so my thoughts are strictly hypothetical, but 
wouldn't it stand to reason that even the most perfect show stalk 
couldn't possibly provide a complete picture of the worthiness of a 
plant?  I've seen gorgeous stalks on irises in my garden that proved very 
rot-, borer-, scorch-, botrytis-, or leaf spot-prone at other times of 
the year.  There are also marginally cold-hardy and slow-growing irises 
that have produced perfect stalks in my garden.  None of those problems 
will show up on the show bench.  In that regard, I would think all show 
bench exhibition styles have the potential to mislead the public and do a 
mis-service to the iris world.  I don't see as English boxes are any more 
or less likely to do so, aside from the obvious absence of the stalk.

The key to avoiding public misconception is public education.  Capture 
the public with beautiful blooms, stalks, and arrangements at iris shows, 
but keep them with accurate information about the care, culture, and 
realities of the plants in the garden.

Just my two cents worth,

Laurie


-----------------
laurief@paulbunyan.net
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern MN
clay soil


 

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