Carry your specimens gently

Participation in exhibitions not only gets you prizes but also gives an opportunity to observe and see for yourself the latest in horticulture, observes Satish Narula

FLOWER shows and garden competitions have contributed tremendously to the progress of horticulture. Such shows encourage garden enthusiasts to maintain their gardens in the best possible manner and also to display ‘something different’ from the routine. This has resulted in the introduction of many new ornamental indoor plants and exotic flowers as is evident from the appearance of one or the other rare specimen on such shows.

Participation in such exhibitions not only gets one prizes but also gives an opportunity to observe and see for himself the latest in horticulture. But fear always remains about other participants with greater experience who walk away with prizes. Here are a few tips to shed your unfounded fears and to embolden your spirit for participation.

Now at this stage one realises the importance of the genuineness of the source of seed suppliers. That stage is, however, past. You have to select from amongst what you have in your garden. What you have to do now is to select and display in the best possible manner.

While carrying specimens for a show always take a few more than are required to be displayed. This is to replace those specimens that sometimes get damaged during transit. Also, carry them gently so that there are no blemishes on petals or foliage. It diverts the judges, attention at once. It is always better if you display some supporting foliage with the blooms. The display vases are provided by the organisers. Make sure you select the ones that are not leaking or else your specimens will wilt even before the judgement starts. Even a few fading petals on a bloom spoil the chances of winning. One thing that is common to be observed for all displays is that none of the bloom or supporting foliage should be insect or disease-infested. May be your bloom was the best but it stands to lose the chance. While displaying, adjust the blooms in a manner that these are facing the judges. You could do this by stuffing the vase with leaves identical blooms in a display stand a better chance. One thing that ensures a prize is display of new types in a class, for example, an open mouthed (pestimon) antirrhinum, red or pink lupin, a coloured throat gladiolus with frilled margin, an odd-coloured pansy, a black and white dianthus, mutated flowers or plants, extraoridnarily long spikes (but these should be fresh and free from blemishes, diseases and insects) and any new species of flowers not common in this region. You also stand a better chance of winning by displaying more number of entries in a particular class, wherever permissible.

In the potted plants’ section usually the participants forget to give their pots the same attention as they do to the blooms. A dirty pot with green mould will mar the display. Scrub the pots with hard brush or coconut fibre brush. Do not paint these with harsh paints. In case of indoor plants you could spray water on the foliage to clean it and give it freshness. Remove all the faded flowers and diseased leaves. Pot grown plants could easily be distinguished from bed-grown plants. Therefore, do not try to hoodwink the judges by lifting these from the soil, filling in pot and applying a fresh manure layer. You may be disqualified. For supporting the plants or heavy bloom use fresh cana stalks and green thread or sutli.

Tailpiece: Although there is lot of improvement in the organisation of such shows, yet much needs to be done. Single petunias compete with hybrids and so do the miniature and cactus dahlias with the exhibition types. The garden bonsai, the genuine bonsai and the manes (the miniature) bonsais are clubbed to be judged together. The organisers and judges should take a note of such things. A little distinction and classification will help.

This feature was published on February 28, 1999