If you haven’t ever entered flowers or vegetables in the fair, or even considered doing so, you should. It is easy, you often have a good chance at some ribbons — perhaps even monetary awards — and you will be adding to the beauty and enjoyment for all to see. This year’s Pottawatomie County Free Fair is Sept. 9-12. Entries will be taken 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9, and the fair is open to the public beginning 5 p.m. Sept. 10.
Most underestimate the quality of their flowers. By following a few simple steps you’ll be able to pick the best quality flowers and have them last as long as possible, which is often referred to as a long “vase life.” These steps can also help even if just cutting flowers to enjoy in your own home or to give as gifts to neighbors.
Specific questions can be directed to 273-7683 for questions concerning entering or you can go online for a full listing of classes and requirements at http://oces.okstate.edu/pottawatomie. Be sure and follow directions to avoid disqualification. If the category calls for three stems, make sure you have three stems, not four, and not one stem with three branches.
Armed with your rules or flower list, a clean pail and water, and sharp scissors or pruners, you’re ready to cut flowers. Look for those just beginning to open — they’ll last the longest in vases. For roses that open rapidly, you should cut them when the buds are just about to unfurl. For gladiolus, cut them when only a few lower flowers are beginning to open.
Look for freedom from spots on flowers and leaves. These could indicate pest damage, disease or poor culture such as lack of water and sunscald. Of course, don’t pick flowers with excessive holes or chewed leaves. Look under leaves as well for signs of disease or even lurking pests. Having live pests on entries is a sure way they’ll quickly be thrown out.
If only a few damaged leaves, you can merely cut them off. But enter a stem totally devoid of leaves, and the judges might wonder what was wrong with the leaves!
Speaking of leaves, make sure none are on the lower stems and in the water of vases or containers. They will rot and cause organisms to spoil the water. When removing leaves before placing in containers, also re-cut an inch or so off the stems. This exposes newly opened water vessels in stems, which are better able to absorb water.
Lastly, for the longest vase life, keep flowers as cool as possible, out of drafts and out of direct sun. This keeps them from drying out as quickly.
If you have a vegetable garden, why not consider entering some of your produce in the county fair? We often find gardeners may have better crops than they think.
Enter a wide variety of vegetables and chances are you’ll win at least a few ribbons and maybe make enough money to pay for next year’s seeds.
Read the directions closely, and follow them. If they ask for 10 cherry tomatoes, don’t display 9 or 11 tomatoes, or a mix of cherry and other types. Keep your entries uniform. The judges are looking for signs that you can grow a crop of that particular vegetable consistently well. If you display three tomatoes, try to select ones that are as uniform and similar in size and shape as possible. Anyone can get lucky and grow one good tomato.
Display healthy produce. Judges are looking for any signs of disease or insect damage. Select the healthiest produce you have and check it carefully for any markings caused by pest damage. The judges will be doing the same.
Come join in the fun at this year’s county fair, there are many types of possible entries in horticulture and other areas that can be exhibited by Pottawatomie County residents.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683.
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If you haven’t ever entered flowers or vegetables in the fair, or even considered doing so, you should. It is easy, you often have a good chance at some ribbons — perhaps even monetary awards — and you will be adding to the beauty and enjoyment for all to see. This year’s Pottawatomie County Free Fair is Sept. 9-12. Entries will be taken 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9, and the fair is open to the public beginning 5 p.m. Sept. 10.
Most underestimate the quality of their flowers. By following a few simple steps you’ll be able to pick the best quality flowers and have them last as long as possible, which is often referred to as a long “vase life.” These steps can also help even if just cutting flowers to enjoy in your own home or to give as gifts to neighbors.
Specific questions can be directed to 273-7683 for questions concerning entering or you can go online for a full listing of classes and requirements at http://oces.okstate.edu/pottawatomie. Be sure and follow directions to avoid disqualification. If the category calls for three stems, make sure you have three stems, not four, and not one stem with three branches.
Armed with your rules or flower list, a clean pail and water, and sharp scissors or pruners, you’re ready to cut flowers. Look for those just beginning to open — they’ll last the longest in vases. For roses that open rapidly, you should cut them when the buds are just about to unfurl. For gladiolus, cut them when only a few lower flowers are beginning to open.
Look for freedom from spots on flowers and leaves. These could indicate pest damage, disease or poor culture such as lack of water and sunscald. Of course, don’t pick flowers with excessive holes or chewed leaves. Look under leaves as well for signs of disease or even lurking pests. Having live pests on entries is a sure way they’ll quickly be thrown out.
If only a few damaged leaves, you can merely cut them off. But enter a stem totally devoid of leaves, and the judges might wonder what was wrong with the leaves!
Speaking of leaves, make sure none are on the lower stems and in the water of vases or containers. They will rot and cause organisms to spoil the water. When removing leaves before placing in containers, also re-cut an inch or so off the stems. This exposes newly opened water vessels in stems, which are better able to absorb water.
Lastly, for the longest vase life, keep flowers as cool as possible, out of drafts and out of direct sun. This keeps them from drying out as quickly.
If you have a vegetable garden, why not consider entering some of your produce in the county fair? We often find gardeners may have better crops than they think.
Enter a wide variety of vegetables and chances are you’ll win at least a few ribbons and maybe make enough money to pay for next year’s seeds.
Read the directions closely, and follow them. If they ask for 10 cherry tomatoes, don’t display 9 or 11 tomatoes, or a mix of cherry and other types. Keep your entries uniform. The judges are looking for signs that you can grow a crop of that particular vegetable consistently well. If you display three tomatoes, try to select ones that are as uniform and similar in size and shape as possible. Anyone can get lucky and grow one good tomato.
Display healthy produce. Judges are looking for any signs of disease or insect damage. Select the healthiest produce you have and check it carefully for any markings caused by pest damage. The judges will be doing the same.
Come join in the fun at this year’s county fair, there are many types of possible entries in horticulture and other areas that can be exhibited by Pottawatomie County residents.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683.
