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 Results

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 twenty-four adult and six junior exhibitors, representing ten regions, proudly displayed 126 beautiful horticulture specimens on show room tables at the Hancock Hotel in Findlay, OH.  A sincere appreciation is expressed to the growers for their dedicated effort to participate in this opportunity to SHOW and SHARE that which they are passionate about!  Educational value was also added, as those in attendance viewed entries’ images projected on screen whilst they were being judged orally.  

Awards of Merit, for the best cultivar in their respective show schedule sections, as well as the top overall awards, including Green Thumb, Outdoor Growers, Container Growers and the coveted Mary Alice Earhart Memorial Award were earned.  This year’s show also featured the Gold and Silver Medalist Collections.  These classes are offered in odd-numbered years for exhibitors who wish to enter a collection of multiple varieties (eight Silver, fifteen Gold) of the same cultivar, either fresh-cut or container grown.  Any member in good standing can enter this prestigious competition.  Each variety needs to be of blue ribbon quality with uniformity in branching, stem length and container size.  

Show Sweepstakes Awards were awarded in the Adult and Junior Divisions as well.  Each exhibitor whose entry earns a placement, also earns corresponding points.  Points are totaled as follows:  First - 5; Second - 3; Third - 2.  Thus, this award is earned by an exhibitor with entries earning high placements, not necessarily the exhibitor who exhibited the most entries.    

A complete list, both adults and juniors, of those earning ribboned placements in their respective classes, as well as the Sweepstakes results, can be found above.  Simply click the link: Show Archives.  Congratulations to all the winners!

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?

• A:  The vase itself has no bearing on the evaluation of the specimen, however, a clear glass one allows the judge to visibly see the stem.  The stem IS part of the evaluation of the specimen.

Q.  I don’t possess a clear glass vase.  Can I use a plastic water bottle instead?

• A:  While the bottle aligns to the clarity of the container, its rigidity is now in question.  A judge is permitted to lift the container off the show table, so it needs to be sturdy enough to grasp without expelling water.  Generally, water bottles do not meet this criteria.

Q.  Why is the specimen’s variety name needed on the exhibitor’s entry tag?

• A:  Two reasons.  First, judging is based on the cultural perfection for the variety.  Without the variety name, a judge is unable to accurately measure that perfection.  Secondly, variety names also serve to strengthen the educational value of the show.  A viewer interested in growing that variety now knows its specific name. 

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?

• A:  Unobtrusive glass marble, pebbles, etc. may be used for ballast but not as wedging.  

Q.  What is wedging?

• A:  Wedging is used in conjunction with the stem for the purpose of supporting the specimen so that its pose is at its best for evaluation by the judge.  Wedging occurs in the narrow neck of the vase, still allowing the stem to be viewed in its entirety from the front of the vase. 

Q.  What materials might be used for wedging?

• A:  Sprigs of yew or other evergreens, styrofoam wedges, wooden wedges, cotton balls, bubble wrap, plastic wrap rolled into a ball, packing peanuts, triangle-shaped makeup sponges, etc.

HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT Q & A

Q.  What falls under the department’s direction? 

• A:  The promotion of horticulture knowledge and interest in gardening, stimulated by the use of educational opportunities, competitions and horticultural sales and exchanges.  

Q.  What are some educational opportunities?

• A:  Plant identification is taught by the chair at Exhibitors’ and Judges’ Schools.  Plants include a variety of flowers, herbs, container grown, grasses, trees, shrubs, foliage, bulbs, etc. and may cover newer varieties.  Instruction includes the plant’s description with emphasis on hands-on strategies to help retain identification.  

• A:  Third Thursday Horticulture Tips, voluntarily provided by regional horticulture chairs, are for the current growing season and will change each month, every third Thursday.  Many tips include techniques for growing plants. 

• A:  Regional horticultural educational exhibits are displayed at the annual convention and at regional meetings held in the spring and fall. The purpose is to share an aspect of nature or gardening worth knowing and to provide inspiration to cause an individual to learn more about the topic.

• A:  Horticulture related topics, written by the chair, are published quarterly in The Garden Path.

Q.  What is meant by competitions? 

• A:  The department organizes and hosts the horticulture division of the flower show held at the annual convention.  However, participation in any flower show at any level (regional, county, club, home, fair, festival) is highly encouraged.  A show provides an opportunity for those with a passion for a particular show class(es) and a qualified entry(ies) to exhibit that which they have grown.  Evaluations, made by accredited OAGC judges, give way to ribboned placements and top awards.  Knowledge can be gained by exhibitors and show attendees when a show is open for oral judging.  

Q.  How do horticultural sales and exchanges work? 

Julie Divelbiss

oagchorticulture@gmail.com