Unfortunately I received notification of the date of the flower show only a short time ago. As you will be reading this on the first of April there is just over a month left for you to put this in your diaries, and arrange to register your entry if you are going to display at the Umana Yana on either May 4, 5 or 6. Regulars will of course realise that the judges will be looking for plants, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables in peak condition.
The show is of course well established by now, although the bulk of the work is done by very dedicated people who are relied upon year after year. Flowers will have been cut as near to opening time as possible and be in perfect condition. With pot plants and hanging baskets we will need to be equally careful about quality. Potting as always should have been done early enough to allow the plants and soil to settle down. This is important as judges often wish to knock them out of the pots to see if they have been potted properly, and discover why plants are on the verge of wilting due to a root infection. On show day all the grower should be concerned about is wiping the leaves clean with a soft cloth and clean water, and removing or trimming any leaves that are damaged or unsightly.
Wiping the leaves of plants like philodendron with a vegetable oil or something similar to give it a quite artificial sheen is likely to lose marks, as will dodges like filling small holes in a display of potatoes with pieces of match stick. Judges always turn over fruit and vegetables to see if any deformities are being hidden.
Unfortunately still not enough children are entering and there are still ways that they can get fun by growing plants in odd containers like old teapots or an old boot belonging to father, or something stylish belonging to Mum. Parents should help their youngsters get fun out of plants, and of course show organisers should get in a stock of prize rosettes for displays like these. The object is to encourage youngsters without insisting on the impossibly high standards they insist upon from adults.
Exhibitors who are thinking of showing a hanging basket of ferns or flowers will have had it planted and growing for months, and all that has to be done is to make sure that when the leaves are lifted up the judges will not be confronted with dead vegetation underneath.
Exhibitors with displays of anything will make sure that their exhibits are set up in plenty of time, and that watering has been done to help them last in perfect condition for several days. Remember that pot plants that are full of root will use a great deal of water and that cut flowers can be very thirsty over three or four days.
Finally on the matter of prizes. Many growers get very agitated over the prizes they are awarded, and if you have spent months growing something to perfection this is quite understandable. However spare a thought of those who leave disappointed. This could mean that they never come back again if it happens regularly. Showing flowers is as much about letting others know how to grow plants superbly, as carting off armfuls of prizes. Anyway, however you do, enjoy the show, take care and may your God go with you wherever you live in this gorgeous country.
