Guidance for Exhibitors: Section 1 – Flowers


Classes

314Dahlias, 1 Giant or Large Cactus or Semi-Cactus.
317Dahlias, 3 Small and/or Miniature Ball, 1 vase.
318Dahlias, 3 Pompon, 1 vase.
319Dahlias, 3 Blooms, excluding flowers specified in Classes 314, 317 or 318.
320Container of dahlias. 1 or more varieties, any number of blooms.
333Chrysanthemums, 3 intermediate, 1 vase.
334Chrysanthemums, 5 blooms, any classification except sprays, 1 vase.
335Chrysanthemums, 3 Sprays, 1 cultivar, 1 vase.
341Roses, 3 blooms, 1 vase.
343Roses, 5 blooms. Exhibited in a bowl.
344Roses, cluster, not more than 3 stems, 1 vase.
350Chessington Garden Centre Top Vase. 10 blooms only on individual stems in one vase. At least 2 different kinds of flowers. (See information below, including changes to the staging guidance for 2020 Virtual Show).
354Rudbeckia, 5 blooms, 1 vase.
355Garden Flowers, 5 stems, 1 kind, 1 vase. Excluding Chrysanthemums, Dahlias and Roses.
356Garden Flowers, mixed, 3 distinct kinds, 1 vase. Excluding Chrysanthemums, Dahlias and Roses.
3571 Spike or Spray. Excluding Chrysanthemums, Dahlias and Roses.
362Pot Plant, Flowering, pot not to exceed 200mm/ 8″.
363Pot Plant, Foliage, pot not to exceed 200mm/ 8″.

Additional information

350Chessington Garden Centre Top VaseJudging Rules
The Top Vase competition will be judged for overall effect as follows. A total of 35 points can be awarded. 25 will be given for form, condition, quality and freshness. 10 will be given for the overall presentation and effect of the flowers in the vase
Flowers can be taken from any flowering plant. Foliage which is growing naturally from the flowering stem and still attached is allowed. No seed heads or berries are allowed. Packing material, including oasis, can be used. Please note that whilst this class is normally staged for all-round effect (ie it can be viewed from all directions) given the limitations of the virtual show this is not a requirement for 2020.

Guidance for Flower Exhibitors

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The term ‘kind’ is intended to cover all varieties of a genus. For example, all gladioli or all lilium, whatever their colour, are considered to be one kind.

Pot sizes given are internal dimensions.

Blooms are best cut in the early morning, and put straight into a bucket of water at least 12 hours before they are intended for exhibition, during which time they should be kept in deep water in a cool place.

Always try to show a fully developed flower, remembering it is better to show one that has not quite reached its best, rather than one that is just past its best, beginning to fade and showing the centre disk.

Select blooms that have freshness and that are uniform, not only in size but also in colour.

Practise staging at home. Try setting up 5 blooms in a vase with 3 blooms at the back fairly high up and the two at the front with slightly shorter stems. Aim for a well-balanced effect overall, with blooms set slightly apart.

Some flowers are not good at taking up water when cut and it is advisable to crush or scrape the ends of all ‘woody’ stems so that a good supply of water is assured.