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Grow to Know ~ Show to Share

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Horticulture Department

A friendly reminder for exhibitors who plan to participate in Section I - Special Containers of the Horticulture Division of the 2025 Convention Show. This Section includes class 33 Seed the Future with Herbs and class 34 Shade Summons and Section J – OAGC Medalist Collection Award.  Please pre-register with the chair, Tess Snyder (oagchorticulture@gmail.com), on or before August 1, 2025 to ensure adequate space.  Refer to the schedule for more information.  In addition, registration is required for the 2025 Convention; be sure to complete this task prior to the event's registration deadline, July 26, 2025.


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


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. 

Wedging


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.  

Plant ID

  • 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.

Educational Exhibit

  • 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.  

horticulture exhibits


Q.  How do horticultural sales and exchanges work? 

  • A:  Affiliated garden clubs who choose to conduct an annual public plant sale(s) will submit their sales information to both the Horticulture Department and the OAGC State Treasurer.  The treasurer will issue a Nursery Dealer’s Certificate, necessary to protect consumers as any plants sold may be subject to inspection by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  OAGC covers the fee to provide this umbrella service for its garden clubs.  The Horticulture Department compiles the information into a database that is shared via oagc.org to help promote the clubs’ plant sales to potential patrons.  


seedlings

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