Cowichan Valley Garden Club

Feb 22nd Getting Ready to Enter the Spring Show

Getting Ready to Enter the Spring Show

Compiled by Joyce Gammie & Esther Craig

Note:  The photos on this post don’t show on the website.  If you would like to see the photos, please email info@cowichanvalleygardenclub.com and I will send the PDF document to you.   Website coordinator, February 22, 2023 

In this document we hope to provide you with tips and techniques for entering designs in the upcoming Cowichan Valley Garden Club Spring Flower Show to be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016.  We will look at the Show Schedule and discuss how to interpret class titles (see separate document), plan your design, and how to choose and condition plant materials.   We will discuss using oasis and how to work with plant materials as well as providing you with some useful tips and techniques.

Show Schedule:

Read this carefully!  The Schedule is the law of the show and what the Judges use to determine winners in each class. If the parameters are not met, you may end up with ‘NAS’ on your design, meaning ‘Not According to Schedule’. Although the Judges try to avoid using NAS (especially in Novice Classes), it is sometimes necessary.

Planning Your Design:

After deciding the class you wish to enter, think about what you will use for a container, how you will anchor your plant materials (usually Oasis), what shape your design will be, and what flowers and other plant materials are available. Keep in mind that you can purchase plant materials to use in the Design Classes unless the Schedule states otherwise.

Shape: All designs must have a recognized shape. Please see the attached paper with some of the most popular design shapes. We would suggest starting with the easier low horizontal or triangle if you are inexperienced.

Containers:

There are numerous vessels that can be used as a container for floral designs, many of which you probably already have at home. As long as it holds water (you can line with plastic or put another waterproof container inside), if it is the right size, shape and colour, it will probably work. Keep in mind that often much of the container is covered with plant material and therefore not visible in the finished design. Thrift Shops and Garage Sales are invaluable for finding reasonably priced containers to purchase.

Anchoring Plant Materials (Mechanics):

Oasis (Floral Foam wet type)

You will probably use oasis most often to hold things in place. It is a highly absorbent, light weight, synthetic material that can be cut to fit most containers. After soaking in water, it provides a water source to plant materials in the design. Floral foam is available in Wal-Mart, The Dollar Giant, and most Florist Shops locally. It comes in wet and dry forms so be sure to purchase the wet variety for using with fresh plant materials. When you use oasis in a design, it should be securely fastened in the container by use of plastic anchors and/or waterproof tape.

Kenzans (pin frogs) are another way of anchoring your plant materials. They are almost always used in Ikebana (Oriental) designs. One disadvantage is that they are quite expensive to buy although they are long lasting and could be passed on to your grandchildren!

Selecting and Conditioning Flowers and other Plant Materials:

All plant materials must be conditioned before using in a design, even if purchased. This usually involves soaking in water overnight or at least for a few hours before using, but there are some materials that require special treatment. There is a wealth of information on the Internet if you Google “conditioning fresh plant material”. For purchased flowers and foliage usually all that is needed is to remove the plastic covering, recut the stems and soak for a few hours in tepid water.

SCHEDULE

For our purposes we are working with the Schedule for the Spring Show to be held on May 14, 2016. Carefully read the definitions at the beginning of the Decorative Division to determine the requirements. Take note that all categories in the Decorative Division are ‘designs’ so be sure you understand the definition of design. There is a size restriction to consider also.

You will notice that some of the designs require that only “spring flowers” be used. Think about what flowers are available now (or could be in May) that would meet this requirement. Some may be found in home gardens (yours or a friend’s), or in local florist shops and grocery stores.

NOVICE DIVISION

Putting it together: things to remember

• if using oasis, cut it to fit tightly and soak before placing in the container.

• determine the shape wanted and use plant material (usually foliage) to outline that shape.

• fill in the shape using your chosen plant materials.

• if stems are flimsy or fleshy, you may need to make guide holes in the oasis.

• a light spray of water over the finished design helps to keep it fresh.

If not using oasis make a grid over the top of the container with clear waterproof tape. A Kenzan could also be used in the bottom of the container

# 56 Reach for the Sky, a vertical design

When entering a vertical design in a judged show, plant materials should not extend beyond the width of the container. Choose a container that will support a tall design in a colour that enhances the flowers. When planning a vertical design the most important things to consider are size, scale, and colour.

Suitable plant materials:

Long stem flowers, long stem foliage, filler foliage

A few samples

# 57 Roadside Wonder a design using only material collected from the ditch or roadside.

Use your creativity for this design. Choose a line or shape that will suit the material you have collected.

Suitable plant materials: twigs, bark, grasses, broom, cattails, cattail foliage, seed heads, salal, rose hips,

stones etc.

Sample Photos

Mass Horizontal on a tile

# 58 Himalayan Fantasy a symmetrical triangle design predominantly Rhododendrons and/or Azaleas

In this class you are using Rhododendron and/or Azalea flowers with subtle hints of other small flowers, other foliage allowed.

Symmetrical-one side mirrors the other

OTHER CATEGORIES

50. Natural Beauty: a pave design (a flat composition in a shallow dish, of solid clusters or paths of flowers and other materials: eg stones, moss, dried materials, shells, etc) which are placed to form a motif or ‘picture’.

This is one we would urge you to try. It is relatively easy, lots of fun, and almost anything can be used. Some things to consider are size, shape, and colour of plant materials as well as texture.

Suitable plant materials: Try to use a variety in texture of the materials used – smooth and rough, shiny and dull, hard and soft etc. Stones, small shells, moss sticks, small dried flowers, seed heads are a few suggestions – use your imagination.

# 49 Mother & Child: A design using two containers

Sample Photos

Spring Duet Partners Making Friends

# 51 Home Grown – a design using only home grown spring flowers and plant materials (nothing purchased), design style not specified. Material can be from exhibitors own garden or a friend’s garden.

Sample Photo

# 51 New Moon: a Crescent Design

The design is a portion of a circle with a concave edge and a convex one, similar to the visible shape of the moon just before the first quarter or after the last quarter phases. It can be constructed in a variety of sizes, heights, and widths. Because of its asymmetry, the crescent center piece requires a great deal of negative space with a focal point generally near the container rim for visual balance.

Sample Photos

Floral Design Shapes

May 11th Tips for Exhibiting Roses

Rose Magdanz has provided the following tips for exhibiting roses:

Exhibits should have 3 sets of attached foliage unless otherwise stated.
Sprays should have a minimum of three open blooms.
Hybrid teas should have 1 bloom (2/3 – 3/4 open)and no side buds.

Apr 11th How to Interpret a Title

by Esther Craig

• When you have a theme, such as St. Patrick, start by writing down all the immediate keywords that come to mind: Ireland, potatoes, mist, green, Leprechauns, lush, damp, drinking, big hats, shamrocks. Bells of Ireland, Baileys, rugby, Irish jig.
• From those keywords, circle the ones which give you an idea immediately, a sense of excitement, the desire to investigate further, or the chance to try out a style or technique you have been wanting to try.
• Sketch out some ideas on paper (you don’t have to be able to draw) and eliminate any that require too much time, too much money or would be difficult to build and transport.
• Decide on one and draw up the mechanics you will need to make it.
• Find out which plant materials are currently in season and within your budget. Consider what material you can get free from your garden, friends’ gardens and the side of the road if need be.
• Start collecting the material you need to make the design. If your design is in a container, decide how can you package it up and stabilize it when transporting.
• Make a list of the material you will need and go shopping. Ditto, if you are getting flowers from your friends – you need to properly condition your floral material to help guarantee they will last for your event.
• Having fully planned, listed and checked off all you need create your design, you are now calm, cool and collected as you know what you are doing and the process you will be following to assemble. Enjoy creating!!
• Enjoy placing your design on display and take pleasure in being a competent floral designer!

Apr 11th Working with the Show Schedule

Apr 11th Packing and Transporting Plant Cuts to Enter in the Flower Show

by Diane McAmmond

Pack a ‘tool box’ and take it with you! Include the Show Schedule (put your name on it), pen, newspaper, ruler, scissors and/or secateurs, and small watercan. You will have marked on the Schedule each class you are entering and noted the name of the variety beside the class.

1. If you have Entry Forms at home, fill in the Class Number, Class Name, Name of Variety and your own Name. The Variety name is important to the Judges so they know what they should expect, it is mandatory if you have two or more entries in one class and it is of interest to the spectators.

2. To transport your cuts, use baskets, boxes, laundry baskets, beer flats – with towels or newspaper wound around the vases or containers to keep them upright and away from hitting anything that might do damage to the perfection of your entry

3. Use a ‘carrier’ – beer bottles in a six-pack case or a wine case or milk bottles in a box with dividers. Canning jars spaced around their case work well for short bushy cuts and small vases will fit in those spaces too.

4. Many people use buckets, but try to minimize the movement of the flowers so they don’t damage each other.

5. Empty some of the water out of the containers so they don’t spill. Place your carriers flat in the car, use the floor. With bucket seats, use a towel or newspaper to fill in the dip and give you a flat surface. Use the seatbelt to hold things in place if you can. Even cup- holders can be utilized.

6. Remember – when you stop, everything tips forward, and going around corners it tips sideways, so prop and place everything accordingly.

7. Plan the above ahead of time, to prevent last-minute panic. Use your imagination and look at other exhibitors’ set-ups for tips too. Creative husbands have even been known to build carriers. Load up in plenty of time and drive carefully to the Show!

‘Staging’ Your Entries at the Show

• Staging refers to the process of trimming and grooming your plant entry and placing it in a container in a way that meets the requirements of the Schedule and looks its best when placed on the Show bench.
• The Schedule will indicate if the container is to be provided by the exhibitor. Otherwise your entry must be placed in a container provided at the Show. Be sure you bring your own container if required for one of your entries.

Apr 11th Gathering and Conditioning Garden Flowers

                                  by Ellen McEwan

1.  Familiarize yourself with the show schedule now and put marks beside anything you might enter.  Keep touring your garden so that you will have a good idea what plants should be in prime condition by the day of the show.
2. Plan to cut your blooms and foliage early in the morning, one or two days before the show, when everything is cool and fresh, before the sun reaches them, or at the other end of the day when the sun has gone. If you are using blooms and foliage for the decorative section, cut in the morning so that material will have had a long drink before you begin your arranging. (The longer the better!)
3. Take various sized containers including plastic buckets out to the garden and fill to top with fresh water.
4. Using your sharpest scissors and clippers cut good long stems on a slant, strip all but top leaves and immediately immerse in water up to flower level. Try to group by size and type, always cut extra to allow for a final choice and also to have spares in case of mishap.

Stem Types

6. Before cutting any plant with a hollow stem, i.e. angelica, dill, trollius, large dahlia, place a water-filled bucket or wide-mouthed container beside the plant. Cut a long stem and immediately immerse it in water making a second cut under the water removing about another inch of stem. Treat each stem with the same care. Sink up to height of first flower.
7. Woody stems, ie lilac, camelia, rhodo, scrape 1″ – 2″ bark from cut and slit up 1″ with knife or clippers. A hammer works well on really tough wood. Place in warmish water.
8. Plants  such as poppy and euphorbia contain a milky sap which oozes from the cut stem and will soon self-seal allowing no water absorption. To prevent this, hold cut end over a burning candle until blackened and only then immerse in water.
9. Spring bulbs such as hyacinth, tulips and daffs should be cut with a good length of stem but avoid cutting into very bottom white part. Some bulbs have a sap which shortens the life of other flowers so condition separately (daffs only with daffs, tulips only with tulips, etc.).
10. Place all filled containers in coolest and darkest available area and allow your cuts to take up water as long as possible.