Mountain Gardener
 Fair Flower Show
 By: Linda Blue

Last year, just on a whim, I planted my first dahlia. The plant grew over 5 feet tall and produced awesome flowers. They were 5 inches across and a stunning combination of white petals with pale lavender edges. Unfortunately, my attempt to save the tubers over the winter failed. So naturally I had to plant more this year — this time in shades of pale pink.

Categories galore
Each time I cut the fresh flowers to bring indoors I think they are so gorgeous they should be in a flower show. I checked the Mountain State Fair catalog and found there are 15 different categories for dahlias! So I have to decide which category description best fits my flower.

Now, of course this sort of opens up a whole can of worms. If I’m going to enter one flower, why not look around the garden and see what else I have that’s in good condition? There are still some tall, old-fashioned zinnias in my garden and the leaves are still looking pretty healthy. Maybe some cosmos. There is a gorgeous coleus with big healthy leaves. Perhaps the best approach is to go through the catalog and see what categories I can find entries for.

Showing off
It will soon be time to inspect and groom those house plants that have been outdoors for the summer. While you are at it, do you have any particularly impressive plants you’d like to show off — African violet, begonia, fern, mixed garden? A few years ago I had a huge rabbit’s foot fern. After seeing the ones entered at the fair I truly regretted not having thought to enter it. It would have won with ease.

I am always impressed by the entries in the flower-arranging categories, since I have no talent in that area. In the fresh flower arrangements, you don’t need to have grown the plants yourself. There are some very creative categories in which you can use dried materials as well.

Rules of the game
You can pick up a copy at the Mountain State Fair office or can acquire it on-line at mountainfair.org. Once you have a catalog, you will not only want to look at the categories, but also be sure to read the rules for entry.

It is important to follow the requirements when you deliver your specimens. For example, if the tomato category asks for five on a plate, give them exactly five perfectly matched tomatoes. If the flower category asks for a single stem in a clear glass bottle, do not give them two stems and do not use a colored bottle.

Presentation is everything
Select a clear glass container that is an appropriate size for your specimen. Don’t put one tiny flower in a very large bottle. Then arrange the specimen so that it will stand upright for the judges to see. If necessary, you can use a small wedge of florist foam to prop it up.

There are two flower shows at the Mountain State Fair. Entry day for the first show is Wednesday, September 8. The second show is Tuesday, September 14. So take a look at the catalog and get creative. You might just come home with a nice collection of ribbons and prize money!

For questions on the Mountain State Fair Flower Show, contact Linda Blue, Extension Agent at the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension, at 828.255.5522.

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