Tips for entering flowers at the fair

RITZVILLE – As the area gears up for the annual Wheat Land Communities Fair, the past and present superintendents for plants and flowers are offering some tips to remember when deciding what flowers to bring to a fair:

• Judges really do follow Premium Book directions. For example, dahlias should have two or four leaves and no buds.

• Use a clean knife to remove side buds well before showing. The center of the plant should show only in single or collarette varieties

• Will your flower be at the proper stage of bloom when the judge sees it at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair on Thursday morning, Sept. 2?

• If you have roses that look good Tuesday, pick them, plunge them into room temperature water and put in a cool dark place. Don’t wait until Wednesday afternoon and pick in the heat of the day. Roses, stocks, snapdragons and mums need 24 hours to soak up enough water.

• Perennials — partially opened, some buds showing color.

• Spike flowers, as in gladiolas — Lower florets opened, upper florets in bud, showing color. Discard mutilated leaves, and be certain that the blossom shows no insect damage, discoloration or moisture stain. You can use a toothbrush to dust cobwebs and dust from leaves and.

Superintendent Karyn Allen and retired superintendent Stevie Coon say all superintendents want “happy exhibitors.”

“We hast saying ‘this is too far gone or there are no leaves, or these leaves have been chewed by bugs,’” they said, suggesting all entrants be sure to read the rules carefully.

If you are from Benton, Franklin, Grant or Whitman Counties, the rules are likely to be different than ours, they said.

For leaves and vines to be used in arrangements immerse the entire spray in water for several hours. Strip the foliage to above water level and cut stems at an angle, they said. Cut two or three vertical slits in woody stems such as mums, shrubs or evergreens.

One-eighth teaspoon of boric acid to each quart of water retards the growth of bacterial growth and may be used on any plant material, they said.

One tablespoon sugar to a quart of water is beneficial in hardening asters, petunias, sweet peas, verbena, gaillardia and daisies, they said.

The superintendents said entrants should ignore what is written in the premium book Section B – Arrangements, Lot 8 Fair Theme is “40 years of Fair Fun.”

The superintendents suggest bracing flowers in transit by using a dry cleaner back or a produce sack, something water proof.

They also suggest keeping in mind class, department, section and lots you are entering.

“Sometimes with many entrants coming at the same time, it can be frustrating,” they said. “So, come prepared. You are more than welcome to get your exhibitor number, tags are cards ahead of time.”

Your exhibitor number remains the same from year-to-year, so keep it and have your entrant cards made out ahead of time.

Entry times for plants and flowers is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Supt. 1.