Grow to Know ~ Show to Share |
Since the beginning of OAGC, promotion of horticultural knowledge and interest has been a powerful force driving The Association’s motto “Knowing, Growing, Showing and Sharing.” To stimulate interest in gardening, the Horticulture department will utilize educational opportunities, competitions, horticultural sales and exchanges. |
faqs about the horticulture department and horticulture shows |
2023 OAGC Convention
Flower Show ~ Horticulture ScheduleThe 2023 OAGC Convention Flower Show ~ Horticulture Schedule indicates that the Horticulture Show will occur during the first two days of the convention, concluding at the end of the second day. The third convention day will be designated for garden tours. Therefore, the dates are accurate and are not typographical errors! This year, new variety classes 23 and 56, adult and junior divisions respectively, focus on Calendula officinalis (kuh-LEN-doo-lah oo-fiss-ih-NAH-lis), Calendula ‘Ivory/Snow Princess’. Ivory or Snow Princess features almost pure white petals with a dark center, a sharp contrast from the traditional deep orange petals of other Calendula cultivars. Two sources for seed acquisition include www.rareseeds.com and johnnyseeds.com. In spring, propagate by seed sown in place at a depth of ΒΌ”, 6 – 12” apart. Seeds will sprout in one to two weeks with 50 – 55 days to maturity. Plants prefer full sun, rich soil and are frost hardy. They have a bushy habit whose flowers close at night. C. officinalis self-seeds readily; remove dead flower heads to prolong flowering and prevent excessive self-seeding. Besides use as an annual cut flower, C. officinalis is a bittersweet, salty herb with culinary and medicinal properties. Only the flower petals are used, not the center disk or calyx. Petals are used as a substitute for saffron in rice and soup, and infused to give color to cheese, butter, milk desserts and cakes; also added fresh to salads. Consider using Ivory or Snow Princess as an herb cultivar in the Special Container Foodscape Window Box class; check out the 2023 winter edition of The Garden Path for more details. Draw your attention to Sections L & Q, Special Container Foodscape Window Box, respectively adult and junior divisions. Entries in these classes can be either an individual or a companion effort. For the adult class, two registered exhibitors are permitted to enter and for the junior class, one registered adult exhibitor and junior exhibitor are permitted to enter. Both classes need reservations. Won’t this be a FUN opportunity for a family to create a container together, and later share in the harvest?! Foodscaping aims to show that edible plants are not only consumable but can also be appreciated for their aesthetic qualities. When planning an edible window box, choose plants that one likes to eat of course, but also select a variety of plants that look nice together. As a guide, use the scorecard for judging window boxes found on page 29 of the Handbook for Exhibitors’ and Judges’. Notice that half of the total points awarded are garnered from the exhibit’s general effect and arrangement of the material. Choose a plant to act as a focal point, one that grabs attention right away, then, add plants with a variety of colors, leaf shapes or textures for contrast. Arranging them in various heights or spilling over can also add interest. The window box doesn’t provide much growing space, so look for compact varieties suitable for container growing (suitability is worth 15 pts). Visit events at oagc.org, (where the schedule is available) to learn more about an herb, a newer Calendula variety that would qualify. To ensure earning all 25 of the ‘quality and health of the plants’ points, locate the box where the plants can thrive, obtaining at least six hours of full sun daily and watering as needed. Make certain the planter box is constructed from sturdy material and contains drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. The book How to Window Box: Small-Space Plants to Grow Indoors or Out authored by Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit ISBN 978-1-5247-6024-3 is a fabulous illustrated step-by-step resource for all types of window boxes, including edible ones. | Q & A for Cut Flower Specimens ~ Horticulture Exhibition ~ Q. My colored vase pairs well with my cut flower specimen, so why should I display it in a clear glass one?
Q. I don’t possess a clear glass vase. Can I use a plastic water bottle instead?
Q. Why is the specimen’s variety name needed on the exhibitor’s entry tag?
Q. My flowering tree or shrub specimen is top heavy and my container wants to fall over. How might I remedy this so I can still display it?
Q. What is wedging?
Q. What materials might be used for wedging?
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2023 CONVENTION FLOWER SHOW ~ HORTICULTURE SCHEDULE Q & A ~ Q. What is a flower show schedule?
Q. Why do some classes require pre-registration?
Q. I see that a Sweepstakes Award can be earned. How does that work?
Q. How many exhibits can an exhibitor enter?
Q. Why are classes designated ‘Newer Variety’ the exception with only one entry permitted?
Q. What are the Silver and Gold Medalist Collections?
Q. Why do container grown plants need to be in the exhibitor's possession for 60 days prior to entering?
| HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT Q & A Q. What falls under the department’s direction?
Q. What are some educational opportunities?
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Q. What is meant by competitions?
Q. How do horticultural sales and exchanges work?
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