What Makes a Winning Flower?

 

You might wonder how something like a robust rose can be compared to a delicate sweet-pea? That's an easy question to answer...they can't be! Instead, each specimen will be compared to perfection for that individual variety. If the big, bold rose is closer to the perfect specimen then it will win, but if the tiny sweet-pea scores higher, it'll take the first-place prize. With personal preference put aside, the judges will scrutinize every detail of the cut flowers in the competition categories 1 - 9 separating the elite from those that don't quite measure up. 

Consider the following criteria (in very simple form) that the judges will use as you make your entry selection for show day:

Color

Judges do not look at a flower's color intensity. Judges look at a flower's color authenticity. The color of the back of the flower is judged in the same way.

Condition

Each flower, and any leaves present, will be judged for perfect appearance. The specimen should be free of defects, dirt and disease, and the flower in its prime stage of openness.

Size

A flower should be the size recommended for that species as grown in the region of Pennsylvania.

Structure

Scores for structure include examination of the flower's form, pose and stability. Form is a flower's shape. Judges look for a flower posed at a right angle to the stem or evenly spaced flowers if the entry is made up of many florets. Freshness is key for stability.

Build

Each component of a flower is examined for balance and perfection. The stem should be straight and in proportion to the flower size. Leaves should be of the appropriate size and correctly spaced. 

 

Tips For Exhibiting At A Flower Show

Article by Jo Ann Graham, Ohio Association of Garden Club Accredited Judge and past State President

As an accredited Ohio Association of Garden Club Flower Show judge, I am often asked what I look for when I judge a horticulture or artistic flower show. The first thing I look for when starting to judge horticulture or artistic classes is: has the exhibitor followed the schedule?

The flower show schedule is the law or rules of the show. A show is only as good as its schedule and it is the first thing an exhibitor should study at length before planning or entering exhibits. If something is confusing or if there is something that isn’t understood, ask the show chair or show committee. Don’t guess at what is meant on the schedule.

Entries in the Horticulture division (cultivars/specimens/exhibits) are to be well groomed. Is the cultivar clean? Is all dirt and pesticide washed away? You wouldn’t come to the fair with a dirty face so your best exhibit shouldn’t either!

Is the cultivar free of disease or pests? An exhibit should not be brought to a show showing any type of disease or have insects. This is especially important if you are showing houseplants or container grown plants. Diseases and pests can spread quickly to other exhibits and are reason for an exhibit being removed from the show and/or disqualified by the judge.

Are there dead pieces of leaves or flowers attached to the cultivar? Could the cultivar be improved in some way? A good exhibitor takes the time to remove all old flowers and dead leaves. Leaves or petals can be carefully trimmed a little to remove all brown edges so a judge won’t notice.

An important rule to follow in a horticulture show in certain classes, is one of disbudding. Disbudding is removing the side bud or shoot from round form flowers such as roses, zinnias, marigolds, dahlias, daisies, etc. Don’t just pinch out the bud – remove the whole side shoot to the main stem carefully by pinching or using a small pair of scissors. Disbudding should be neat and in many cases done a day or days prior to the show depending on the cultivar.

Many cultivars are shown as sprays. A spray is a single main stem with blooms or florets borne on pedicels or lateral branches, led by a terminal bloom, which blooms first. I always tell the exhibitor to look at the stem for a Y. This indicates there are two sprays – one on each side of the main stem. Each spray should have as many blooms and buds as possible. The old center or terminal flower should be removed if past its prime. Examples of flowers shown as sprays are marigolds, petunias, phlox, etc.

Be sure to exhibit correct number of cultivars according to the schedule. The schedule will indicate whether one, two, three, four, etc. blooms, spikes, sprays are to be shown. If exhibiting more than one, all cultivars should look exactly alike as to maturity, color, form, size, etc. They should look like identical twins, triplets, etc.

Winning a ribbon in horticulture does not mean just growing the best flower or plant but skill in grooming and preparing your exhibit. Planning ahead, studying the schedule, and learning how a flower or plant is judged helps you win.

 

Flower Show Guidelines - Courtesy of Laurel Garden Club

When selecting a specimen for exhibition, look for straight, sturdy stems. A bloom, spray, or spike just coming into peak bloom is best, rather than one that is past its prime. Select a specimen that is nearly perfect as possible. A specimen is judged on quality and perfection, rather than size and color. A specimen consists of flower, stem and leaf. Exceptions to this are those without leaves attached to the stem, such as tulips and daffodils.
Cut specimens should be exhibited in clear glass vases, bottles, or containers, which support the stem firmly and are in good proportion to the size of the specimens. It should be possible to view the stem without removing it from the bottle.

Flowering Shrubs - One or Three Specimens

If 3 specimens are exhibited, they should be identical in variety, color, and size.
Points are awarded for:
Color: Flowers, stems, and foliage (if present).
Condition and grooming: Clean, no spent blooms. Form and symmetry of branch.
Flowers: Number, size, and placement.

Flowers - One or Three Specimens

If 3 specimens are exhibited, they must be identical in variety, color, and size.
Points are awarded for:
Color: True to variety, clear, bright, no streaking or fading.
Form of floret(s): Typical of variety, fullness of open floret(s), symmetrical placement
(if exhibiting 3 specimens), and unopened bud in color and in pleasing proportion.
Substance and texture.
Size of floret(s) and spike, according to variety.
Stem and foliage (if present).

Arrangements

Points are awarded for:
Balance: May be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Proportion: The relationship of areas of color, texture or form; and the amounts to
each other and to the whole.
Scale: The size relationship of one object to another. For example, the size of
individual blooms to the container.
Rhythm: The dominant visual path through the design. It suggests motion.
Dominance: The greater force of one kind of element, such as, more curved lines,
more rounded forms, or more of one hue.
Contrast: This is achieved by placing opposite or unlike elements together in such a
way as to emphasize their difference.

Container Grown Plants

The plant may be washed with a soft spray; or each leaf may be wiped individually with a soft cloth. Dead leaves should be removed or trimmed, and the soil surface should be clean and fresh. The color of the container should harmonize with the plant but should not be so colorful that it detracts from the plant. It should be a size and shape to complement the plant and its root system.

Points are awarded for:
Cultural perfection: Uniform growth, fullness, health, and vigor.
Quality and quantity of bloom (if present): Amount, evenness of distribution, and condition of flowers.
General presentation: Grooming, clean, no spent blooms. Freed from insects or disease. Proportion, suitability, and condition of container, and supports. Form and symmetry.

Groupings of container Grown Plants

Points are awarded for:
Balance: May be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Proportion: The relationship of areas of color, texture or form; and the amounts to
each other and to the whole.
Scale: The size relationship of one object to another. For example, the size of
individual blooms to the container.
Rhythm: The dominant visual path through the design. It suggests motion.
Dominance: The greater force of one kind of element, such as, more curved lines,
more rounded forms, or more of one hue.
Contrast: This is achieved by placing opposite or unlike elements together in such a
way as to emphasize their difference.