FLOWER SHOW PREPERATIONS
Tips for Floral Design Exhibitors
1. Please carefully read the General Rules and the Floral Design Rules.
2. Look up botanical names of your plant material before you arrive at the flower show. List all plant materials on your Entry Card with botanical
name first followed by common name.
3. Plant material conditioning:
a. Plan on conditioning your plant material at least 24 hours in advance of the flower show.
b. Plant material placed in a dark location will absorb more water.
c. Remove all foliage below the water line.
d. Scrape bark off the bottom 1” off woody stems with a knife or potato peeler. Then slit the stems.
e. To revive wilted material….cut stems on an angle and soak in warm water.
4. Check list for your entry before being passed:
a. Are the mechanics hidden unless they are an integral part of the design? Check to make sure that no oasis is showing. Avoid shiny
ontainers, especially silver, and shiny white glazed pieces.
b. Is the arrangement balanced – side to side, front to back, and top to bottom?
c. Are the proportions correct – plant material to the container, any accessories to the arrangement and to the staging?
d. Are the components in scale with each other?
e. Is there dominance without being out of proportion?
f. Is there contrast of color or textures?
g. Look for unfinished spaces (remember that space is an important part of a design.
h. Is the back finished enough to create depth?
i. Have you filled the container with water?
Tips for Horticulture
Exhibitors
1. Please carefully read the General Rules and the Horticulture Rules.
2. Fill out entry cards with the correct botanical and common names of each plant. Type or print the entry card legibly in waterproof black ink. On a
separate 4"x 6" unlined white card, note complete and pertinent information on propagation, culture dates and length of ownership. Try to have
this information with you when you arrive at the show.
3. Water entries before arrival.
4. Container size is determined by measuring the longest inside measurement at the rim, circular containers are measured on the interior diameter;
square or rectangular containers are measured on the interior diagonal.
5. If allowed, staking should be done as unobtrusively as possible.
6. Grooming:
A. Plants must be free of insects and disease
B. Containers should be as clean as possible.
C. Foliage and fruit should be clean, with no dirt or spray residue. The use of a leaf
polishing agent is prohibited.
D. Dead and blemished material should be removed.
E. Damaged foliage may be trimmed but it should look natural.
F. Flowering plants should not be misted.
G. Soil surfaces should be clean. You may top dress the soil but use material that does not float. Keep the level below the top of the container.
1. Please carefully read the General Rules and the Horticulture Rules.
2. Fill out entry cards with the correct botanical and common names of each plant. Type or print the entry card legibly in waterproof black ink. On a
separate 4"x 6" unlined white card, note complete and pertinent information on propagation, culture dates and length of ownership. Try to have
this information with you when you arrive at the show.
3. Water entries before arrival.
4. Container size is determined by measuring the longest inside measurement at the rim, circular containers are measured on the interior diameter;
square or rectangular containers are measured on the interior diagonal.
5. If allowed, staking should be done as unobtrusively as possible.
6. Grooming:
A. Plants must be free of insects and disease
B. Containers should be as clean as possible.
C. Foliage and fruit should be clean, with no dirt or spray residue. The use of a leaf
polishing agent is prohibited.
D. Dead and blemished material should be removed.
E. Damaged foliage may be trimmed but it should look natural.
F. Flowering plants should not be misted.
G. Soil surfaces should be clean. You may top dress the soil but use material that does not float. Keep the level below the top of the container.
