How to Prepare for a Rose Show

By Dr. Floribunda (aka, Sheldon Drobot)

• Read the schedule carefully in the days and weeks leading up to Rose Show. Make notes on exactly what each class requires. There are many fun ways to enter a rose show, but details may vary from class to class.

• There are a few different kinds of entry tags. Arrangement tags only get used on arrangements. Challenge class tags are for challenge classes only. Miniature tags are used for miniature and miniflora entries, and for Photography. All other entries will use the standard Horticulture tags.

• You must be registered to enter the Rose Show so that you can get an exhibitor number. Complete the registration form, if required, and send to the show coordinator. Or sign up the day of the show.

• Once ready, bring your Horticulture entries to the Classification table. They will check that you have done everything right. Then the Placement Committee will put your entry in the right section.

• Challenge Class and Photography entries can be taken directly to the display tables by you the exhibitor. Once you find the right section, you may place your entry where you wish for the best competitive advantage. You can ask Classification to have a look at your entry for accuracy, and you can ask Placement where the right section is. Once you place your entry, no one can move it but you until judging is completed.

• Arrangers need to register their arrangements with the Arrangement Coordinator so they have enough space for each arrangement. Arrangers can set up their own arrangements on the show tables.

• It is a good idea to wait until your entries clear Classification before leaving the Preparation Area. That way, if any issues are found, you are there to correct them.

  Above all have fun and ask lots of questions.