Here are some general tips on preparing your flowers for the show. Guidance for some specific flowers is given after this section.

Before Cutting

• 2 – 3 weeks prior to show, keep soil moist
• Remove any unwanted, weak sideshoots or buds to help develop the main flower
• If possible protect blooms from damage caused by rain and splashing from the soil

Cutting

• Check the Show Schedule for requirements of the class you are entering
• Cut for the show in the evening or early morning – when the flowers and foliage are cool
• Flower stems should be cut as long as possible
• Make a slanting cut at the end of the stalk as this will assist the uptake of water
• Avoid handling the flowers more than is necessary
• Carry the cut stems with the blooms facing downwards keeping the plant away from draughts or bright sunshine as much as possible
• Try to cut sufficient flowers to allow some choice in your final selection
• Remove undeveloped sideshoots, unopened buds and some of the lower leaves as these will divert water from the stem and flower
• The cut stems should be plunged upright, up to their necks in deep containers of clean, cold water – preferably overnight. Place in cool position away from light because stems are drawn to the light and can become curved

Transit To Show

• Place flowers in containers big enough to prevent the flowers becoming squashed or damaged during the journey
• Pack cotton wool, soft paper or other similar materials between specimens to prevent movement and buffeting during the journey

Staging At The Show

• Remove any damaged flowers together with discoloured or broken leaves which may have occurred during the journey
• Cut a portion from the base of all flower stems to assist the uptake of water
• Ensure the length of stalk is appropriate for the size of vase or container you are using to display your exhibit
• Ensure all containers are filled with water otherwise the plants may wilt during the show
• Use a water-colour brush or cotton wool to gently remove any dust or dirt from the flowers
• Try to produce a good balance using flowers of even size and quality
• Stems should be straight and strong, holding the flowers upright
  Flowers should have uniform colour, be bright, clear, attractive and free from feathering, peeling, fading, burning and uneven blends
• While large flowers are desirable, substance and form can be sacrificed to obtain excessive size

Remember that a judge will evaluate the stem and foliage, the flower, the container, the arrangement and uniformity of the flowers

Links

• Dahlias
• Gladioli
• Roses
• Sweet Peas

Dahlias

Growing

• Dahlias may be planted as pot-grown plants or as dormant tubers
• Dahlias thrive on well drained, fertile soil. Prepare soil by digging in manure or garden compost and then add a top dressing of bone meal
• Plant pot-grown dahlias after all danger of frost has passed. Plant carefully so as to avoid disturbing the root ball. Water thoroughly
• Plant tubers directly in soil during April, early May
• Plant in a hole about 9in (22cm) across and 6in (15cm) deep. The tuber takes about 6 weeks to develop a shoot above ground
• When dahlias about 15in (38cm) tall stop the plants by removing the growing points – this will encourage side shoots
• Support all plants with canes
• About 6 weeks after planting feed weekly with a liquid fertilizer

Showing

Definitions –

• medium…between 6 – 8in (15.2 – 20.3cm) in diameter
• small……between 4 – 6in (10.2 – 15.2cm) in diameter
• pompon …not exceeding 2in (5.2cm) in diameter

Decorative/Cactus Dahlias

• Cut blooms with a sharp knife on the morning of the show
• Choose blooms which are symmetrical and perfectly circular in outline and which are firm, clean and without blemish
• Colour should be clear, well defined and evenly shaded
• Blooms should be poised at an angle of not less than 45 degrees to the stem
• Arrange exhibit so that all blooms face the front

Pompon Dahlias

• Blooms should be perfectly globular, facing upwards on a straight, firm stem
• Central florets compact, dense at the centre and slightly convex

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Gladioli

Growing

• Plant corms at end of April, beginning of May
• Gladioli like well drained but moisture retaining soil
• Fork into the soil some gritty sand and some well rotted manure
• Plant corms in a sunny position 6- 8in (15 – 20cm) apart and 4 – 6in (10 – 15cm) deep to ensure they do not fall over when flowering
• Loosen the soil in the base of the hole so that the roots can penetrate easily
• Support the stem when it is 6in (15cm) tall by attaching the stem to a cane with string
• When the flower buds are forming, tie in the stem to the cane just below the buds to prevent the stem from breaking when the buds open

Showing

• Select blooms which have erect spikes, are fresh and unblemished
• Each bloom should have a long, well-balanced spike still carrying the bottom flower and numerous other regularly spaced, open and opening flowers and some buds
• A spike should be one third in full flower, one third with buds in colour and one third green buds

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Roses

Growing

• Roses may be purchased as either bare-root or container grown
• All rose need a site in the sun, sheltered from the wind and fertile soil

Planting bare-root roses

• Remove any diseased or damaged growth and cut out any thin or straggly stems at the base
• Dig a planting hole and fork in a bucketful of organic compost mixed with a small handful of bone meal
• Soak plant in a bucket of water for an hour before planting
• Place rose in centre of hole and spread out the roots
• Ensure the bud union is 1 in below the soil level, fill in the hole and lightly tread down the soil to ensure no air pockets among the roots
• Water well

Planting container grown roses

• Place rose in a bucket of water until the compost surface appears moist
• Gently tease out the roots and prune any damaged or diseased branches
• Dig a planting hole, add some bone meal to base of the hole
• Plant so that the bud union is about 1 in below the surface
• Water well
• All roses require regular feeding and suitable rose fertilizers are readily available

Showing

• To produce quality blooms remove newly formed sidebuds so that the main bud develops strongly
• Select blooms which are three-quarters open and cut with about 12in (30cm) stem on the evening before the show
• Remove lower leaves and thorns and plunge into a bucket of cold water up to the necks of the flowers. Keep overnight in cool place
• Arrange rose symmetrically, placing larger blooms in front
• Blooms should be close together but not touching

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Sweet Peas

Growing

• Seeds can be planted either in a seed tray or in the ground where you want them to grow at the end of April, beginning of May
• To help germination, nick the seeds with a sharp knife removing a small piece of seed coat opposite the eye
• It is preferable NOT to soak sweet pea seeds as they are susceptible to rotting
• Sow seeds 2 – 3in (5 – 7.5cm) apart and 2in (5cm) deep
• Pinch out the growing tips after the first pair of leaves appear
• Thin seedlings to 8 – 12in (20 – 30cm) apart and provide them with some support – a pea net or wigwam of canes or an individual cane (see cordon below)
• Prepare the soil by digging a trench or by double digging and add some well rotted manure
• Water well especially during dry spells and when flowering begins
• Apply a liquid feed 2/3 times at fortnightly intervals
• Dead head flowers to encourage continuous flowering

Cordon Training

• To produce better flowers for showing, sweet peas can be trained into cordons – each plant having its own cane to grow up
• When plant is 4 to 6 weeks old and about 12in (30cm) tall restrict the growth to one shoot by cutting or pricking out the extra shoots and tendrils
• Tie the remaining shoot loosely to its support cane
• Continue to nip out side shoots and remove twisting tendrils
• Cut flowers as they open and do not allow flowers to set seed

Showing

• Select sweet peas with strong spikes, open and fresh blooms
• Flowers should have erect standards, rigid wings and be free from spotting or scorching
• Flowers should be of bright colour and have long straight stems

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