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Oct 23, 2023

Preparing for a horticulture show

Aug 14, 2023 Entering plants in a horticulture show can be a very rewarding and educational experience for gardeners of any age. It’s a chance to rank your green thumb as well as to investigate new

Aug 14, 2023

Entering plants in a horticulture show can be a very rewarding and educational experience for gardeners of any age. It’s a chance to rank your green thumb as well as to investigate new varieties of plants and meet other gardeners with similar interests.

The first step would be to find a horticulture show in your area. Many garden clubs hold shows that are open to the public. County agriculture fairs also offer a variety of shows.

It’s important to get a copy of the show schedule. This provides the necessary information for entering your plants, cut flowers and fruits and vegetables. It also details how each entry must be presented, such as how many blooms are required on cut flowers and whether leaves should be attached.

For fruits and vegetables, there could be requirements for the number of entries submitted and if a stem needs to be attached. It’s important to note that if multiple specimens need to be included, as with cherry tomatoes, that each needs to be uniform in size and color.

If entering cut flowers, care should be taken when gathering the flowers for the show. Plan to cut your flowers in the evening or early morning. Always cut the stem several inches longer than necessary to allow for later trimming. Remove any leaves on the stem that will be in water.

For every entry, it’s important to look over your specimen carefully, watching for any slight defects. There shouldn’t be any insect damage or wilting leaves. Always choose the best-looking specimens.

Most damage to plants occurs during transportation. Place plants / vases in large boxes and pack with lots of packing material. Make sure any leaves extending beyond the container are protected. Seat belts may help but should not be trusted to protect tall narrow vases.

Last, but not least — label each entry. Correct and complete labeling helps make your exhibit a teaching tool for others. Most show guidelines ask for both plant name and cultivar, if available. For example: Dahlia, “Lilac Time.” Judges might place an exhibit lower if it is not labeled or if labeled incorrectly.

Above all, don’t focus completely on winning. Entering a horticulture show should be fun and entertaining. Look around at the other exhibits and you may pick up a few tips for the next show.

There are several wonderful horticulture shows in the Mahoning Valley area. The Gardeners of Greater Youngstown hosts an annual show at the D.D. Davis Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens each year at the end of August. Open to the public, exhibits this year can be dropped off Aug. 26 for judging, with viewing and awards Aug. 27. Details on this show are at http://ggyo.org.

The Canfield Fair hosts two opportunities to show flowers, containers and more during the fair. For details on the Canfield Fair Flower Shows, go to: http://go.osu.edu/canfieldflowers .

For tips on preparing your flowers for either show, go to: https://go.osu.edu/flowershow.

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