Tips for Exhibitors

Grooming Tips

Grooming is essential:  It is recommended that the bulk of grooming is completed prior to arrival at the Show site. Space is provided at the show for last-minute grooming.

1. Examine your entry(ies) very carefully:  Remove spent blossoms, damaged leaves, any foreign material, (dirt and debris) and dead stems. Do not remove the calyx-papery wrap from narcissus bloom.

2. Foliage:  Wash foliage with water (1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water) if leaves are smooth.  Brush with soft brush (paint brush) if leaves are hairy. No oiling or spraying of leaves allowed.  Trimming of leaves should be unobtrusive and following the natural lines of the leaf.  Any fresh cuts can be camouflaged by touching the new cut with a brown or black magic marker.

3. Top Dressing:  The choice of top dressing should be appropriate to the plant.  For example, moss or small bark for ferns and bulbs, pebbles for sun loving plants such as cacti. Keep the soil slightly below the level of pot so that the top dressing does not wash out when watered.

4. Pots: Check for correct pot size. Pots should be clean of all dirt, free of cracks and salt deposits.  The inside rim should also be cleaned.  Standard clay pots are preferred. They should be the correct size and appropriate to the proportion of the plant. Fiber pots and ridged containers (including black or green nursery “production” pots) are not acceptable.  Dirt in the pots should be level.

After grooming is complete, examine the exhibit from all angles, including from above, to ensure outstanding show condition.

Suggested Timing For Forcing Bulbs for the 2011 Southeastern Flower Show

Bulb	Chill Weeks Required	Begin Cool Treatment	Remove From Cold	Weeks to Bloom
Tulip	12 to 16	Oct. 12 to Nov. 9	Jan. 28 to Feb. 4	3 to 4
Narcissus	10 to 12	Nov. 2 to Nov. 18	Jan. 28 to Feb. 4	2 to 3
Hyacinth	9 to 13	Nov. 2 to Dec. 2	Jan. 28 to Feb. 4	2 to 3
Muscari	9 to 13	Nov. 2 to Dec. 2	Jan. 20 to Jan. 28	3 to 4
Crocus	9 to 13	Nov. 11 to Dec. 9	Feb. 2 to Feb. 9	2 to 3
Iris	9 to 13	Nov. 18 to Dec. 16	Feb. 9 to Feb. 16	1 to 2
Amaryllis	None	Pot upon purchase		6 Weeks (Variable)
Paperwhite Narcissus	None (Ready to plant when purchased)	Keep at 45 to 50 degrees for 10 days for root development		6 Weeks (Including time for root development)