March 10th Question Period: tips for forcing branches Workshop: Floral Design 101 – just the basics Awards: Best Orchid, Best other Houseplant   DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE   Special Section – Plant of the Month Class   1.                    Orchid 1 pot     Section A – Houseplants Class 2.                    Amaryllis 1 pot 3.                    African Violet 1 crown 4.                    Any other Gesneriad 1 pot 5.                    Cactus pot under 4” 6.                    Cactus pot 4” and over 7.                    Succulent pot under 4” 8.                    Succulent pot 4” and over 9.                    Fern pot under 6” 10.                 Fern Pot 6” and over 11.                 Any other foliage plant pot under 6” 12.                 Any other foliage plant pot 6” and over 13.                 Any other flowering plant pot under 6” 14.                 Any other flowering plant pot 6” and over   What is a Gesneriad?  Gesneriad is a large family of mostly tropical plants, the most popular being the African Violet. Some others are Achimenes (‘Magic Flowers’), Aeschynanthus (‘Lipstick Vine’), Nematanthus (‘Goldfish plant’), Sinningia (Gloxinia), and the popular Streptocarpus. (please see pages 39/40 of the Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards booklet for more varieties)   What is the difference between a cactus and a succulent? Sometimes hard to tell – all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. Generally, cacti have spines, most succulents do not. However, ‘Crown of Thorns’ has spines but is a Euphorbia  - a succulent. A ‘Christmas Cactus’ has no spines but is a true cactus. Consult your favourite houseplant book if you are unsure or ask for help at the meeting.       April 14th Question Period: conditioning tulips for showing, dividing perennials Feature Speaker: Hazel Cook on Delphiniums Awards: Best Hellebore, Best Other Specimen, Best Houseplant, Best Design (Beginner), Best Design (Regular) Best Special Exhibit   DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE   Special Section – Plant of the Month Class   1.                    Hellebore (Lenten Rose) 2 stems     Section A – Specimens Class 2.                    Any bulb, corm or rhizome 3 stems 3.                    Any forced bulb(s) 1 pot 4.                    Forced branch with bloom* up to 36”* 5.                    Any other perennial 3 stems 6.                    Seedlings for transplant (one container) 4-6 seedlings 7.                    Any plant grown from seed in the current year 4” pot 8.                    Plant grown from a cutting taken in the current year 4” pot * Branch length is measured from the table to the tip of the branch – not necessarily the actual length of the branch.     Section B – Houseplants Class   9.                    Amaryllis 1 pot 10.                 Orchid 1 pot 11.                 Saintpaulia (African Violet) 1 plant 12.                 Cactus pot under 4” 13.                 Cactus pot 4” and over 14.                 Succulent pot under 4” 15.                 Succulent pot 4” and over 16.                 Fern pot under 6” 17.                 Fern pot 6” and over 18.                 Any other foliage plant pot under 6” 19.                 Any other foliage plant pot 6” and over 20.                 Any other flowering plant pot under 6” 21.                 Any other flowering plant pot 6” and over Remember – pots for houseplants should be fairly plain. For a fancier look use pot covers which can be removed for exhibiting. The plant, not the pot is supposed to be the star of the show.     Section C  -  Special Exhibit Class 22.     a “Plants and Flowers” display – using potted plants, cut flowers and cut foliage –more than one container 23.     The use of more than one container requires that design principles (see page 84, OJES) be taken into consideration, in order to link the containers and the various design elements 24.     This class permits the use of  cut foliage as well as cut blooms and soil   DIVISION II – DESIGN   Section D -  Theme: Home Renovations   FOR BEGINNERS ONLY* Class   25.                 The Painter a polychromatic design     REGULAR Class   26.                 The Electrician your interpretation 27.                 The Carpenter featuring decorative wood 28.                 The Interior Decorator incorporating fabric 29.                 The Plumber visible use of water *Who is a beginner?  A beginner is someone who has exhibited designs for less than two years or fewer than six times in the last two years. But remember – you cannot enter both the beginners’ and the regular class – the decision of which class to enter is yours.       May 12th Question Period: buying and planting annuals, Pickering “showcase of gardens” Feature Speaker: Jill Cockerell, Herbalist – preserving and using herbs Awards: Best Primula, Best Bulb, Best Other Horticultural Specimen, Best Design     DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE   Special Section: Plant of the Month Class   1.                    Best Primula 1 cultivar, 2 stems   Section A – Tulips Class   2.                    Single, red or red blend 1 cultivar, 2 stems 3.                    Single, pink or pink blend 1 cultivar, 2 stems 4.                    Single, yellow or yellow blend 1 cultivar, 2 stems 5.                    Single, bi-colour 1 cultivar, 2 stems 6.                    Single, any other colour 1 cultivar, 2 stems 7.                    Any other variety 1 cultivar, 2 stems 8.                    Collection in one container 5 cultivars, 5 stems   Section B – Narcissus Class   9.                    Trumpet 1 cultivar, 2 stems 10.                 Long Cup 1 cultivar, 2 stems 11.                 Short Cup 1 cultivar, 2 stems 12.                 Double 1 cultivar, 2 stems 13.                 Any other variety 1 cultivar, 2 stems 14.                 Collection in one container 5 cultivars, 5 stems   NOTE: Narcissi should be shown without foliage. Definitions: Trumpet – the trumpet (corona) is as long or longer than the surrounding petals (perianth segments) Long Cup – the cup is more than 1/3 but less than equal to the length of the perianth Short Cup – the cup is not more than 1/3 the size of the perianth Still unsure? Bring them in and find out from the “experts”.       Section C – Perennials, Annuals and other Bulbs Class   15.                 Any other bulb, corm or rhizome 3 stems 16.                 Viola (Pansy) large bloom 3 stems 17.                 Viola (small bloom) 3 stems 18.                 Any other perennial, growth habit under 15” 3 stems 19.                 Any other perennial, growth habit 15’ and over 2 stems 20.                 Any annual flower or vegetable grown from seed 4 seedlings 21.                 Flowering branch not to exceed 36” 22.                 Foliage branch not to exceed 36” Reminder: Our Exhibit Rules, Horticultural, item 1 state: Some foliage is to be left on when showing specimen flowers, except when foliage is not part of the flower stem, such as narcissus or daylilies. There always seems to be some confusion about this, especially with regard to Violas.     DIVISION II – DESIGN   Section D - Theme: On the Move   FOR BEGINNERS ONLY Class   23.                 Box it up design in a box     REGULAR Class   24.                 Hang it up a vertical design 25.                 Downsize design in two containers 26.                 Less is More a minimalistic design 27.                 Dust Bunnies a miniature design        June 23rd Question Period: pond maintenanc Feature Speaker: Paul Heydon – Native Plants Awards: Best Peony, Best other Horticultural Specimen, Best Rose (Pickering Nurseries Trophy), Best Red Hybrid Tea Rose (Red Rose Tea Award Trophy), Best Collection, Best Design     DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE   Special Section – Plant of the Month (see inside front cover for peony plant portrait) Class      Peony 1 bloom     Section A - Specimens Class   2.             Allium 1 stem 3.             Clematis – large bloom – floating in a dish 1 bloom 4.             Clematis – small bloom 2 stems 5.             Delphinium 1 spike 6.             Fern – 1 cultivar 2 stems 7.             Heuchera blooms 3 stems 8.             Lilium (Lily) 1 stem 9.             Papaver (Poppy) 1 stem 10.           Any annual 2 stems 11.           Any biennial 2 stems 12.           Any other perennial, growth habit under 15” 2 stems 13.           Any other perennial, growth habit 15” and over 2 stems 14.           Any bulb, corm, tuber or rhizome 2 stems 15.           Flowering Branch not to exceed 36”   Tip: When the schedule calls for a bloom floating in a dish, such as a Clematis bloom, do not attempt to transport it floating in the dish. It will get submerged and waterlogged. Bring your well-conditioned bloom in a separate container and only when you have placed your dish with water on the table, carefully float your bloom.     Section B – Roses*   (named, if possible) Class   16.           Hybrid Tea – red or red blend 1 bloom 17.           Hybrid Tea – any other colour 1 bloom 18.           Hybrid Tea collection ( 3 cultivars) 3 blooms 19.           Hybrid Tea fully open and floating in a bowl 1 bloom 20.           Floribunda – any colour 1 spray 21.           Floribunda – any colour 1 bloom 22.           Grandiflora – any colour 1 spray 23.           Grandiflora – any colour 1 bloom 24.           Polyantha – any colour 1 spray 25.           Miniature – any colour 1 bloom 26.           Miniature – any colour 1 spray 27.           Miniature – any colour – floating in a bowl 1 bloom 28.           Miniature collection (3 cultivars) 3 blooms 29.           Climber – any colour 1 bloom 30.           Climber – any colour 1 spray 31.           English Roses (David Austin) 1 bloom 32.           English Roses (David Austin) 1 spray 33.           Shrub Rose 1 bloom or spray 34.           Any other Rose 1 bloom or spray 35.           Any Rose, other than hybrid tea or miniature, floating in a bowl 1 bloom * see tips below for exhibiting roses   Section C – Collections (specimens to be named, if possible) Class   36.           Heuchera foliage, minimum 3 cultivars 1 stem per cultivar 37.           Hosta foliage (large) minimum 3 cultivars 1 stem per cultivar 38.           Hosta foliage (small) minimum 3 cultivars, 1 stem per cultivar 39.           Any other cut foliage, minimum 5 cultivars 1 stem per cultivar 40.           Flowering branch collection, 3 cultivars 3 stems 41.           Foliage branch collection, 3 cultivars 3 stems   What is a “cultivar”?  It is an abbreviation for ‘cultivated variety’; plants with special characteristics created by plant breeders, maintained only in cultivation. When reproduced, they retain their distinguishing features. Most cultivated garden plants are cultivars, e.g. Rose, ‘Peace’; Heuchera, ‘Lime Rickey’; Hemerocallis, ‘Painted Lady’.       DIVISION II – DESIGN   Section D Theme: Emotions   FOR BEGINNERS ONLY Class   42.          Anger  design in hot colours     REGULAR Class   43.          Tranquility a foliage design 44.          Simplicity design in oriental manner 45.          Exuberance design showing motion 46.          Sadness small design     Tips for exhibiting roses:   Form: ¨       An exhibition bloom should be ½ to ¾ open when viewed from the top. ¨       Petals should be arranged symmetrically with a circular outline. ¨       When viewed from the side, the petals should unfurl from a high pointed centre. ¨       There should be no evidence of split, balled or confused centre. ¨       Some modern roses have a decorative form and these blooms can be quartered, cupped, ruffled or flat.   Colour: ¨       White or green streaks in the petals or any blotching will be penalized. ¨       Stamens, where visible, should be fresh and upstanding.   Substance: ¨       Loss of substance gives the outer edge of petals a transparent discoloured appearance and will be penalized. ¨       Stamens which have collapsed and curled inwards indicate a loss of substance.   Size: ¨       The bloom size should be typical for the cultivar. ¨       In most cases a bloom size somewhat larger than typical is considered better. This is not true for miniatures where daintiness and petiteness are more important. (Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards, 2003)       September 8th  Question Period: saving seeds, prepare to bring annuals and tender bulbs inside  Feature Speaker: Peter Keeping speaks to us about Clematis, the most popular vine  Awards: Best Tomato Specimen, Best Hort. Specimen, Best Rose, Best other Fruit/Vegetable, Best Special Exhibit, Best Design     DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE   Special Section – Plant of the Month Class   1.                 Tomatoes - cherry 5 on a plate 2.                 Tomatoes - other than cherry 2 on a plate 3.                 Tomatoes, collection- min.3 cultivars, named if possible 5 on a plate   Section A – Specimen Class   4.                 Begonia (Tuberous) with own foliage 1 floating in a dish 5.                 Cosmos 3 stems 6.                 Dahlia – under 6” bloom 2 stems 7.                 Dahlia – 6” bloom and over 1 stem 8.                 Echinacea (Coneflower) 2 stems 9.                 Fern – 1 cultivar 2 stems 10.              Ornamental Grass – 1 cultivar, growth habit under 36” 2 stems 11.              Ornamental Grass – 1 cultivar, growth habit 36” & over 2 stems 12.              Pelargonium (Geranium) 2 stems 13.              Rudbeckia, any variety 3 stems 14.              Sedum, in bud phase 1 stem 15.              Sedum, fully open 1 stem 16.              Tagetes (Marigold) bloom under 2” 3 stems 17.              Tagetes (Marigold) bloom 2” and over 2 stems 18.              Zinnia (1 cultivar) bloom under 2” 3 stems 19.              Zinnia (1 cultivar) bloom 2” and over 2 stems 20.              Any other bulb, corm or rhizome 2 stems 21.              Any other annual – growth habit under 15” 2 stems 22.              Any other annual – growth habit 15” and over 2 stems 23.              Any other perennial – growth habit under 15” 2 stems 24.              Any other perennial – growth habit 15” and over 2 stems 25.              Flowering branch not to exceed 36” 26.              Foliage branch – any colour not to exceed 36” 27.              Fruited branch not to exceed 36”   Section B – Roses Class   28.              Hybrid Tea – any colour 1 bloom or spray 29.              Grandiflora – any colour 1 bloom or spray 30.              Floribunda – any colour 1 bloom or spray 31.              Polyantha 1 spray 32.              Miniature – any colour 1 bloom or spray 33.              Miniature – any colour – floating in a dish 1 bloom 34.              English Rose (David Austin) 1 bloom or spray 35.              Any other Rose 1 bloom or spray 36.              Any Rose, other than miniature, floating in a dish 1 bloom   Section C – Fruit and Vegetables Class 37.              Beets 2 on a plate 38.              Carrots 2 on a plate 39.              Cucumbers 2 on a plate 40.              Garlic 1 bulb on a plate 41.              Leeks 2 on a plate 42.              Onions – any 2 on a plate 43.              Peppers – any kind 2 on a plate 44.              Potatoes 2 on a plate 45.              Squash 1 on a plate 46.              Any other vegetable, named if possible suitable number 47.              Any other fruit or berry suitable number     Section D – Special Exhibits Class 48.                 Display of cut flowers grown by exhibitor, minimum 5 species, named if possible* 49.                 Collection of cut herbs grown by the exhibitor, minimum 5 species, named if possible**   *Display: a number of specimens exhibited for artistic effect as well as cultural perfection **Collection: a number of specimens exhibited for cultural perfection     DIVISION II – DESIGN   Section E   Theme: Home Sweet Home   FOR BEGINNERS ONLY Class 52.                 Country Estate a design using wayside material     REGULAR Class   53.                High Rise a vertical design 54.                Town House a horizontal design 55.                The Cottage waterviewing design 56.                Bachelor Pad miniature design