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Entering a GCV Flower Show

Entering the Artistic Division

Artistic Design Rules

  1. The Schedule is known as “The Law of the Show.”
  2. Except in Inter Club arrangements which are entered in the name of the club, one person must execute each entry.
  3. An exhibitor may enter as many classes as desired, but is restricted to one entry per class.
  4. The Passing Committee must pass all arrangements before the exhibitor leaves the show floor. The Passing Committee may disqualify ar­rangements that do not meet the schedule requirements.
  5. Designs will be judged according to the GCV Flower Shows Handbook.
  6. Designs must include some fresh plant material.
  7. The use of commercially grown flowers is discouraged in traditional arrangements. If used, only seasonal flowers should be chosen.
  8. Treating fresh plant material by application of substances, such as paints, dyes, etc., is not permitted. Plants may be clipped, stripped, bent or otherwise manipulated.
  9. Plants on the Endangered Species list may be used only if grown in exhibitor’s garden.
  10. All containers and accessories must be plainly marked with exhibitor’s name and address. Instructions for shipping should be made and a fee paid if the container is not to be claimed at the end of the show.
  11. A 3x5 card listing all plant material, followed by “G” for garden grown and “F” for florist, must accompany each design.  A Pot-et-Fleur design must also include "R" for rooted material or "C" for cut material. 
  12. Artificial flowers, foliage and fruit are not permitted.
  13. The following are permitted, unless prohibited by the schedule
    • Accessories
    • Bases
    • Contrived flowers and/or forms made of fresh or dried plant material
    • Cut fruit or vegetables sealed in some manner to discourage insects
    • Objects that add interest when tastefully used, e.g., nests, feath­ers, coral, sponges, sea fans, starfish, antlers, etc.
    • Container-grown plants growing in soil as part of Pot-et-Fleur or other appropriate classes
    • Treated plant material
  14. Plant material must not touch the back, sides or floor of the niche or extend beyond the opening unless specified in the schedule.
  15. A base may not be used to extend the dimensions of the area unless specified by the schedule.
  16. Drapery and background material are considered accessories.
  17. Living creatures are not permitted.
  18. Components of a design are plant material, container, base, background and mechanics.

Artistic Procedures

  1. Check in at Registration desk upon arrival.
  2. Make arrangements for Container Return upon arrival.
  3. Check Show Schedule regarding whether or not arranging is permitted on the showroom floor.
  4. Upon completion of design, complete a 3x5 card listing floral material, noting "G" for garden grown or "F" for florist.  A Pot-et-Fleur must include "R" for rooted material or "C" for cut material.
  5. Write a brief statement of intent if called for in the show schedule.
  6. Check exhibitor entry tag for accuracy and completion.
  7. Notify a member of the Passing Committee when an exhibit is ready to be passed.
  8. The exhibitor will remain in the exhibit area until the exhibit is passed.
  9. The Passer will determine that the arrangement complies with the schedule and that the above-mentioned cards are in place before passing.
  10. Except for watering and/or necessary maintenance, the exhibitor may not touch the exhibit after it is passed.
  11. Exhibitors are urged to show caution when placing their arrangements and when viewing the show. As a courtesy to other exhibitors, they must stay a safe distance from neighboring arrangements.

*The exhibitor’s name and address must appear in the two specified places on the exhibitor entry tags.  The use of mailing labels is encouraged.

Conditioning Plants for Artistic Arrangements

It is imperative that plant material used in artistic arrangements in flower shows be properly conditioned. A few recommendations follow:

  1. Cut flowers in the cool of the day, i.e., early morning or late after­noon.
  2. Cut on a slant with a sharp knife, sharp scissors or clippers.
  3. Place immediately in deep, tepid water to reduce shock and en­hance absorption.
  4. Use clean glass or plastic containers (rinsed with bleach if pos­sible). Some flowers react badly to metal containers.
  5. Remove all the foliage from the part of the stems that will be below the waterline in the finished arrangement.
  6. Condition flowers from 4 to 24 hours in a dark or shaded, cool, draft-free place.
  7. Some plant material requires special attention.
    • Woody stems: split ends and scrape stem. Example: Lilacs, Azaleas.
    • Brittle stems: Break and scrape stem instead of cutting to al­low more water-absorption. Example: Chrysanthemum, Boxwood 
    • Milky stems: Seal stem ends to prevent loss of sap; burn with an open flame or scald the end in boiling water. Example: Poppy, Poinsettia
    • Submerge Ivy, Hosta, and similar foliage completely underwa­ter

 

Entering the Horticulture Division

Horticulture Exhibitor Rules

  1. The Schedule is known as “The Law of the Show.”
  2. Except for the Club Collections which are entered in the name of the club, one person must execute each entry.
  3. Always read the Rules for Horticulture Exhibitors in your schedule which provides rules and guidelines for the show.
  4. GCV exhibitor entry tags are provided.  However, nationally sanctioned show entry tags may be used by those members. All entry tags must be filled out completely, top and bottom portions. Use of mailing labels is encouraged.
  5. Exhibitors are responsible for proper labeling of exhibits. Entries that are incorrectly named are not to be judged.
  6. No label may be changed except by the show chairman or the passing (classification) chairman in case of placement error.
  7. All Horticulture Judges are accredited by appropriate national sanctioning societies.