The First Step in Rose Show Preparation
Gather the tools for the job!

Rose Show preparation is everything! If you are planning on entering your roses into any kind of show or garden display they will need to be "groomed".

Yes, just like my pet dog, my roses need to go to the groomers to get ready, for showing their best. It's not difficult, you can do it yourself, but it takes time, either the night before the show or a few hours before going in. Either way, you need the correct kit of tools for your own rose show preparation.

Incidentally, I have two of everything; someone always wants to borrow something!

First, get yourself a small, lidded box. Plastic works best, perhaps a small fishing tackle box. Something the size of a small shoe box. Then gather together the following items:

* The latest A.R.S. handbook for selecting roses.
You need this to check the spelling of the names and official colors of your roses.

* Exhibiting tags and rubber bands.
The Show people will provide this but always collect more than you need: for next year!.

* The Rose Show schedule.
Make sure you get this early and highlight your particular entry classes in color.

* Small sharp pruners.
For re-cutting stems or removing leaves.

* Small soft hair artists brush.
For cleaning out between petals.

* Pencils and Pens.
For filling in your entry cards and making notes for the following year.

* Tweezers.
For removing any bugs especially aphids.

* Small Cuticle Scissors.
For trimming damaged leaves.

* A soft cloth or two.
For polishing leaves or removing mildew stains.

* Q Tips.
For forcing stubborn petals to open and for cleaning petals inside.

* Soft Wool Yarn.
For tying around opening blooms: if you don't want them to open so quickly!

* Paper Towels.
For spills; there is always a lot of water around!

* Floralife in a packet.
For spicing the water in your exhibit. Often something like this is provided....but just in case!

* A sharp knife.
Such as an Exacto knife or sharp pockey knife. This is for cutting stems or more likely, cutting the styrofoam packing used to hold the stem straight in the vase.

* Thorn strippers.
For removing side thorns from larger stems so they fit into the vase. These can be purchased online or at the bigger garden centers.

* Garden Gloves, Band Aids and a reliable Wrist Watch.
Need we say more!

So those are the tools, gathered together in a box, that you can take with you and use, year after year, for your rose show preparation.
Before you display your roses, check the following;

--> Polish and trim the leaves

--> Q Tip the petals

--> Re-cut the stem, at an angle, under water

--> Prepare your vase packing (make sure it doesn't show!)

--> Turn your rose to exhibit it's best side

--> Add your exhibiting tags (with rubber bands) to the neck of the vase

--> Watch the clock!

See, easy wasn't it! Hope you enjoyed it and you came away with a ribbon. Remember, it's all in the rose show preparation and having the right tools!

www.rose-works.com helping you get the most from your roses especially at rose show time.

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