31st March 2011
General Rules
Cut Blooms
The overall emphasis will be on the quality and
freshness of the bloom/s.
Cut blooms must be exhibited on boards which meet the specification
stated in the current Member’s Handbook.
A bloom should be circular in shape when viewed from the front, with
good colour consistent with the cultivar (variety). The gaps between
layers of petal should be as short as possible. The petal layers should
form a full centre. Open, double and misshapen centres will be
penalised.
When exhibited in groups; such as 3, 6 and 12 boards, consideration will
be given to the overall balance of the board including equal height of
the bloom centres, colour range and uniformity of size. Number of
distinct cultivars (varieties) must be as required by the show schedule.
Petals of blooms over 9” in diameter that overlap their neighbour may be
lifted to view the petal below. No penalty will be incurred for
overlapping petals.
Where the show schedule requires that a Best Bloom in Show be awarded,
all contending blooms will be lifted in order that the petals at the
back may be assessed.
In colour classes, all named cultivars (varieties) will be judged in
accordance with the NBS Register of Varieties. Where a cultivar
(variety) is not registered the colour will be determined by the judge/s
until registered.
No preference will be given to any cultivar (variety) over another, with
no fault being worse than another. It will be the degree of fault that
will be judged.
All entries will be judged as seen at the time of judging.
Judging Criteria.
Cut Blooms.
1. The bloom should be of good colour for the
cultivar (variety), with picotee edging being sharp and well defined on
all petals. Edging that has “run” into the body of the petal will be
penalised.
2. Petals should be symmetrically formed to constitute a round shape,
with sufficient to fill the centre of the bloom, and to add greater
depth.
3. Each petal should support its own weight, and none should be
removed or trimmed
4. The bloom should show no imperfections such as blemishes due to
handling damage, splits, malformed petals, warts at the petal base, or
signs of ageing.
5. The bloom should show no signs of colour run or pigment separation.
6. The bloom should show no signs of pest or disease damage. Live
mildew will result in the bloom being removed from the show area.
Staging Cut Blooms.
1. Individual cut blooms should be staged on a board with the lowest
petals raised just above the top of the board by about ¼”. No more than
sufficient staging cups should be used to facilitate this. The bloom
should be carefully placed to “face the judge”.
2. Groups of cut blooms should be staged as individual cut blooms,
except that each bloom should be similar in width and depth, and the
heights should form a parallel line with the staging board, with the
centre of each bloom running in a straight line. Extra staging cups may
be used to balance the height of the blooms.
3. Due consideration should be given to colour balance in group
classes.
4. All staging boards should be clean, and free of spill or moisture
films.
Pointing of Cut Blooms.
In the event that two or more exhibits are so similar as to make it
difficult to decide their placing using the above criteria, the
following system of pointing may be used at the judge’s discretion.
Points are relevant to each bloom. 1. Condition – 10 points for a bloom
shown in peak condition, reducing by degree due to imperfections such
as: petal edging, colour run, pigment separation, bruising, petal
trimming, petal removal, disease and pest infestation.
2. Form – 10 points for a bloom which is circular in outline when
viewed from the front, with sufficient layers of petals to form a semi
circle when viewed from the side. Gaps between petal layers should be
short. The petal lay at the centre of the bloom should form a full
centre. Points will reduce by degree for open, double or misshapen
centres, warts, malformed and reflexed petals.
3. Size -- 10 points. Using an 8” bloom as the standard, and
increasing/reducing by degree per 1” above or below the standard.
4. Staging—10 points for a clean board, uniformity of bloom size and
placement for visual effect. Points will reduce by degree for dirty
boards showing spill or moisture film, and an imbalanced display of
blooms.
Pot Plants – Tuberous Doubles.
Only one tuber is permitted in each pot.
Plants should be symmetrical in shape, and in proportion to the pot
size, with a nice balance between the height and width of the plant.
Supports should be unobtrusive. Removal of leaves from the top of the
plant to improve the shape of the plant, or to give a better view of the
blooms, will not be penalised unless excessive.
Foliage should be at or just below the level of the top of the pot.
Removal of the lowest leaves will be penalised.
Foliage and stems should be unmarked with no damage, ageing, yellowing,
pest or disease showing.
Plants showing live mildew will be removed from the show area.
Blooms should be fresh with no signs of ageing, and be circular in
outline when viewed from the front, with the petals symmetrically
arranged to give an even shaped bloom with a full centre.
Ideally all plants in a multi-pot exhibit will be of a broadly similar
size.
All evidence of transportation, protection and packaging must be
removed, and pots should be clean.
Plants may be raised off the staging, using unobtrusive supporting
objects, but only to ensure that the foliage can rest safely clear of
the staging, or to balance a multi pot exhibit.
External embellishments must not be used.
Blooms need not be spaced all round the plant. However, a plant shown
for all round effect should present a circular outline when viewed
accordingly, with a closed dome of blooms when viewed from above.
All blooms should be fresh and of good colour for the cultivar
(variety). Female flowers should be removed.
should face forward, not upright or drooping, be held clear of the
foliage, although blooms “filling” the top of the plant may point
upwards without penalty.
Where the show schedule requires that a Best Pot in Show be awarded, all
contending pots may be moved and turned as necessary in order to check
all parts of the plant.
Judging Criteria.
Pot plants – Tuberous Doubles.
The overall emphasis will be on freshness of leaves and blooms and the
standard of cultivation.
1. Plants should show no signs of pest or disease. Live mildew will
result in the pot being removed from the show.
2. The foliage should be clean with no signs of ageing, yellowing or
damage.
3. Blooms should show no signs of colour run, pigment separation,
warts or malformed petals.
4. Blooms should be circular in outline with sufficient petals to fill
the centre. Open, double and misshapen centres will be penalised.
5. Supports should be as unobtrusive as possible.
6. Pots should be clean with no debris showing on the top of the
compost.
Judging of Tuberous Double Pot Plants by
Points.
In the event that two or more exhibits are so similar as to make it
difficult to decide their placing using the above criteria, the
following system of pointing may be used at the judge’s discretion.
Points are relevant to each pot.
1. Standard of cultivation – 15 points reducing by degree for damage,
pest infestation, disease, ageing, foliage yellowing, removal of lower
foliage.
2. Quality of blooms – 10 points reducing by degree for damage, colour
run, pigment separation, warts, malformed petals, open, double and
misshapen centres.
3. Presentation of individual plant – 10 points reducing by degree for
blooms facing up or down, obtrusive supports, dirty pots and debris on
the top of the compost.
4. Staging of overall exhibit – 5 points reducing by degree for
uneven pot balance, obtrusive pot supports.
Miscellaneous tuberous species and cultivars.
Where miscellaneous tuberous species and cultivars are exhibited they
will be judged in accordance with tuberous double pot plants where
applicable.
Plants shown primarily for their foliage
No account will be taken of the difficulty of
cultivation or rarity of the cultivar or species presented.
1 .Rhizomatous types, including Rex Hybrids grown primarily for
their foliage effect will be judged as such.
2. Where
flowers are present, although not essential for the exhibit, these must
be fresh and in good condition.
3.
Where flowers are present, although not
essential for the exhibit, these must be fresh and in good condition.
4. Shrubby types ideally should present a symmetrical plant of all round
effect. Very loose, open growth in need of support will be penalised.
Many of these types will carry a significant and important floral
display which if present should be
penalised.
Many of these types will carry a significant and important floral
display which if present should be clean and in good condition, and will
be rewarded in the final result.
5. Cane types should ideally be symmetrical in outline, well
balanced with due regard to the quality of the floral display, but with
the emphasis being on foliage quality and habit of plant.
6. Fibrous rooted cultivars typical of Semperflorens Cultorum,
although grown primarily for their floral display, should present a
symmetrical plant for all round effect.
7. All foliage and blooms should be fresh and free from pest, disease
and damage. Plants showing live mildew will be removed from the show
area.
Where pointing is considered desirable the system
used for tuberous double pot plants may be used where applicable.
Group of Begonias staged for effect.
1.Emphasis will be placed on the general arrangement for effect,
harmonious blending of colours; form of plant, leaf and bloom. Faults -
obtrusive pots, stakes, labels etc., overcrowding, uneven staging with
plants either 'sitting up or down'.
2. Quality
of plants and blooms will be taken into account. The usual criteria
applicable to pot plants, regards cleanliness and freshness of blooms
and foliage applies.
3. All
plant containers must be within the area stipulated in the show
schedule.
4. All
rules concerning condition, damage and pest or disease are as per
tuberous double pot plants.
Where pointing is considered desirable the system
used for tuberous double pot plants may be used where applicable.
Hanging Baskets and other Pendula Containers
1. Ideally
the plant(s) should form a continuous cascading display, totally
enveloping the container with a floral or foliage display for all round
effect.
2. Emphasis
of the exhibit will be on ‘display for effect’.
3. More
than one tuber or plant is allowed in each hanging container or basket.
4. All rules concerning condition, damage and pest or disease are as per
tuberous double pot plants.
Where pointing is considered desirable the system
used for tuberous double pot plants may be used where applicable.
