How to Enter Plants

in the

PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

Flower Show Competitive Classes

Artistic & Design

Classes

Hamilton Horticourt

(Horticulture Classes)

There’s a new Show almost every day!

The Hamilton Horticourt—from this…

To this!

And this!

It all starts here…

• Published in September.

• Mailed to last year’s

exhibitors.

• Available online or by mail.

• To request a copy, send

an e-mail to

fsguide@pennhort.org

or write to

Shows Department

PHS

100 N 20th St, 5th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

or here…..

theflowershow.com

Use pull-down list under “Get Involved” to find “Exhibit”

Lots of Links(posted as they become available)

General

information

Check

here for

more links

Who can enter?

• Anyone can enter the Show. You don’t need to be a

member of PHS or a club/organization to enter.*

• There’s no fee for entering.

• If you pre-enter, you can make unlimited entries—there

is no penalty for not exhibiting as many entries as you

anticipated. (Pssst! Exhibitors often pre-enter the same

plant in several appropriate classes and then—on entry

day—decide where it has the best chance.)

* Of course, we’d be happy to have you become a member of PHS.

Why pre-enter?

• Unlimited entries! For most classes, you may enter

up to three entries per class, as long as they are

different. (For some classes—noted in the Guide—you

may have only one entry per class.)

• If you provide your plant names in advance, PHS

volunteers can check them prior to the Show.

• PHS can anticipate the number of prospective entries

in a class and plan ahead for staging space.

• You can print out your entry list from FSDB.

• You will receive entry credentials by mail in February.

• You (and your club/organization) will receive points

for any entries that actually come to the Show.

How and when to enter

Registrations for pre-entries must be received no later

than January 31.

• Enter online: register.theflowershow.com

(easy—like shopping online; entries confirmed

as you enter).

or………

• Submit paper entry form from Exhibitor’s Guide.

Last-minute entries? You can still post-enter!

• Bring entries to the Show on entry days (see

Exhibitor’s Guide for dates and times)—up to 6

post-entries per day.

Plants must be in your possession by December 1, 2017.

Enter online via FSDBregister.theflowershow.com

Or on paperavailable in center of Exhibitor’s Guide or online

Paper forms must be

received by January 31;

no phone, fax, or e-mailed

entries.

Decide what to enter

• Look around your house for appealing plants

(spectacular, rare, unusual, or simply wonderful plants).

• Make a list of possible entries, with botanical names*

and pot sizes.

• Use the Exhibitor’s Guide to determine appropriate

classes to enter

– Beginner’s Luck : _599 – 1st time exhibitors only

– Novice Classes: Never won a blue before current

year

* Need help with names? Look up plant names in Flower Show Botanical

Database (register.theflowershow.com/botanicalview.aspx)—over

20,000 names, plus links to online photos.

Check the guidelines about containers!(see Exhibitor’s Guide)

Measure your pots!Inside measurement

Pots over 4" – ½" leeway

Pots 4" and under - ¼" leeway

Tip: After you

measure the pot,

mark the size on

the bottom with a

waterproof marker.

(Use a silver pen

for dark pots).

Look up a plant namehttp://register.theflowershow.com/Botanicalview.aspx

or use link on the website

The PHS Flower Show Plant Database contains more than 20,000 botanical

names of plants that have been entered in the Flower Show. Nomenclature

volunteers have verified the accuracy of these names.

Use the drop-down list(type the plant name without quotes)

Find out even more!

How about a “challenge” plant?

In these classes, all exhibitors start with the same plants and grow

them for competition. Only plants purchased from PHS are eligible

to be entered.

Plants are available starting in September—first at the Members’

Plant Dividend and then at PHS Meadowbrook Farm. See the

Exhibitor’s Guide for details.

Before—on sale After—at the Show

Horticulture entry/judging days

• Judged on Friday, March 2

– Enter on Thursday, March 1, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

and/or Friday, March 2, 7:00-9:30 a.m.

– Remove on Monday, March 5, 6:30-7:00 a.m.

• Judged on Monday, March 5

– Enter on Monday, March 5, 7:00-9:30 a.m.

– Remove on Thursday, March 8, 6:30-7:00 a.m.

• Judged on Thursday, March 8

– Enter on Thursday, March 8, 7:00-9:30 a.m.

– Remove on Sunday, March 11, approx. 6:30-8:00 p.m.

All about classes

• Friday Hort class numbers start with 2; Orchid classes start with 5.

• Monday Hort class numbers start with 3; Orchid classes start with 6.

• Thursday Hort class numbers start with 4; Orchid classes start with 7.

• Some classes repeat on each entry day. In the Exhibitor’s Guide, they

are listed with an underscore—for example, _322. The Friday, class is

2322, the Monday class is 3322, and the Thursday class is 4322.

• In addition to the repeating classes, there are special classes for each

entry day. See the Exhibitor’s Guide.

• Novice classes are open only to exhibitors who have not won a blue

ribbon in that section of the Show prior to the current year. (If you win

a blue in a Novice class early in the Show, you can still enter Novice

classes later in the week.)

• Beginner classes are for first-time exhibitors in the Show.

Enter All Days (EAD)

• For EAD entries, you don’t need to come to the Show on

entry days to remove, re-groom, and re-enter them.

• Note: Not all repeating classes are EAD classes. EAD entries may

be made only in classes designated “eligible for EAD” in the

Exhibitor’s Guide—generally plants requiring no additional grooming

during the Show.

• All EAD entries must be pre-registered by January 31.

Post-entries are not eligible for EAD.

• Make entries on Thursday, March 1, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

and/or Friday, March 2, 7:00-9:30 a.m.; remove them on Sunday,

March 11, between 6:30-8 p.m.

• You must agree to the EAD regulations (see Exhibitor’s Guide)—

e.g., you may not move the entry on a subsequent day or substitute

another plant.

Reminders

• Pre-entry registrations must be received at PHS by

January 31.

• Add or change plant names for entries in FSDB until

midnight on February 25.

• Post-entries at the Show—up up to 6 entries per day.

• You may substitute another plant for one that has been

pre-entered.

• Unless otherwise specified, only one plant per pot.

• Identification of every plant is required.

• Your name must be on the bottom of each pot.

Now it’s time to get ready

for the Show.

Plan ahead…prepare your plants

• Groom the plants.

– Make sure they are free from pests and disease.

– Remove dead and broken leaves.

– Make sure they have a pleasing shape—full and

symmetrical.

– Fertilize regularly according to need.

• Repot if necessary.

– Do containers conform to Show guidelines?

– Are plants in proportion to their containers?

– Are they appealing to a judge’s eye?

Make a grooming kitfor home and at the Show

Suggested contents

Flashlight

Magnifying glass

Scissors, tweezers, bent tweezers,

needle-nose snips

Tiny paint brushes

White chalk (mark pots at home but bring

extra)

Cotton balls, Q-tips

Small pieces of sandpaper, lint-free rag,

mineral oil, small spray bottle with water

Exhibitor’s Guide, printout of entries from

PHS (or print your own from FSDB)

Extra blank 4"x6" cards, just in case

Small quantities of top dressing

And a snack!

Plan ahead…prepare containers

• Get containers into “Show shape.”

• Clean any encrusted terracotta pots.

– Sandpaper (fine-medium).

– Rub lightly with mineral oil

• Consider double potting.

– Works well for plants grown in plastic pots.

– Watch pot size.

– Use top dressing to conceal inner plastic pot.

• Put your name on the bottom of your pots with

waterproof marker (hint: use a silver pen on dark pots).

Plan ahead…top dressing

• Top dressing gives your entry the finishing grooming

touch.

• Use natural material only—brown, black, gray, or tan.

No white top dressing!

• Avoid lightweight material, since it will float.

• Suggested materials

– Aquarium gravel (not white)

– Turface® – sport field clay-based soil conditioner

– Fine orchid bark

– Sphagnum moss (only for bulbs and orchids—see

Exhibitor’s Guide)

Examples of good top dressing

Exhibitor entry cards

• Make two 4"x6" cards for each entry for each day.

• Use a waterproof pen (e.g., fine Sharpie) to fill out the cards.

• Print name and contact information on one side.

• Print the plant name and class number on the other side.

HORS CHESTNUT

Cell: 215-555-5555

nuttyhors@gmail.com

THE GARDEN CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA

FRONT

The judges see this side.Best phone to reach you

at the Show.

PHS cardwhat the public sees….displayed after judging

(cards for pre-entries are waiting at each class)

BEGONIA ‘FLUFFY RUFFLES’

Each entry has a unique PHS ID.

First digit indicates day.

Plan ahead…

the week before the Show

• Determine best arrangement of boxes in your vehicle

(test with empty boxes).

• Familiarize yourself with the Horticourt Floor Plan sent

with your exhibitor packet.

• If you have multiple entries, plan an efficient route for

making your entries.

• Schedule ample time to groom before packing the plants

for transport.

• Remove water spots – a 50-50 milk/water solution with

cotton balls is very effective.

before the Show (continued)

• Groom plants at home. At the Show, grooming should only be last-minute tweaks.

• Two days before packing—water thoroughly.

• Pack the plants in boxes.

• Don’t forget your grooming kit.

• If you have numerous entries, use popsicle sticks marked with class and plant names to keep track of them.

• Put your parking pass, entry credentials, and grooming kit in the car.

• If it’s cold out, warm up the car.

Then what?

• If you have pre-entered, you will receive a packet

in mid-February containing a map of the Horticourt,

buttons or tickets, and a parking tag.

Exhibitors

needing multiple

admissions to the

Show.

Exhibitors and

helpers working

only during set-up

or tear-down.

See tags and Exhibitor’s

Guide for entry times.

Maintenance

pass (one

use only)

How to get there; how to get in…(see the Logistics section of the Exhibitor’s Guide)

Sample floor map(check for a new one each entry day)

Materials for transporting entries

• Strong cardboard boxes.

• Plastic crates.

• Plastic dry-cleaning bags.

• Bamboo stakes to elevate bags off plants.

• Plastic bags from newspapers and produce

to secure top dressing.

• Dollies, carts, and wagons

(be sure to put your name on your cart).

• Helpers, if you have numerous entries.*

* Request credentials for helpers by February 15; see Exhibitor’s Guide.

At the Flower Show

• Enter “F Hall” (the PCC parking garage) though the 12th

Street entrance, just past the light at Race St. (Your car

must be moved out by 9:30 a.m.)

• Have your entry credentials readily available (hang-tag,

button, or ticket).

• Carefully* open the car and unload your plants and

grooming kit.

• Pick up a revised floor map at the freight elevator.

• Take the elevator to the Show level.

• Proceed to the grooming and passing tables.

* This tip is from an exhibitor who lost entries when they fell out of her car

as she opened the hatch—the plants had shifted towards the rear.

Class entry process

• Take your entry to the designated table to start the entry process.

• After any last-minute grooming, move your plant to the passing table for the class.

• Present your two 4″x6″ exhibitor cards to the passer and recorder.

• The recorder will complete the paperwork for your entry.

• The passer will examine plant to ensure that it is of Show quality, meets class requirements (name, pot size, etc.), is free of insects, and has a chalk mark on the back of the pot.

• The passer may suggest additional grooming to improve the plant’s appearance and chance of winning.

• Because many people are entering, this process takes time. Don’t wait until the last minute. Remember—all cars must be out of F Hall by 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Monday, and Thursday entry days.

Class entry process (continued)

• The recorder will document that your plant has actually

entered the Show.

• You must stay with the plant until passing and recording

are finished.

• Stagers will move plants from the passing table to the

display bed. You may not touch the plant once it has

been passed.

Passers and recorders at work

After you have entered your plants

• Gather all materials and return to your car—before 9:30

a.m.*

• Exhibitors are not allowed in the Horticourt during judging.

– Relax.

– See other parts of the Show.

– Use the Members and Exhibitors Lounge on the

Concourse to wait for results.

– Unless you have an Exhibitor button, remember to get

your hand stamped before you leave the Show level.

• Usually by the evening of judging you can go online and

view your results in your FSDB account.

* All cars must be out of the garage before the Show can open

to the public.

What do the judges look for?

• Cultural Perfection: Vigorous, healthy appearance including foliage,

flowers or fruit, and form characteristic of a well-grown plant. There should

be no indication of pests or disease.

• Distinctiveness: Meritorious in aesthetic appeal; noteworthy in size and

relationship to container.

• Bloom: Quality and quantity of bloom, including freshness and substance;

mass effect if appropriate to the class.

• Fruit: Quality and abundance of fruit, if appropriate to the class, including

color and mass effect.

• Maturity: Size of plant and foliage characteristic of a mature specimen.

• Difficulty: Challenging to grow (and bring to bloom, if applicable to the

class); requiring specialized growing conditions, skill, and care.

• Rarity: Seldom grown and exhibited by amateur horticultural enthusiasts.

The judging criteria for specific classes can be found in the Horticulture

Scales of Points, available beginning in December at

http://theflowershow.com/get-involved/exhibit-at-the-flower-show.

Behind the scenes…judging

Flower Show judges come from all across the country and even from outside the US at their own expense to judge at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show.

Behind the scenes—“Points”Points are awarded for entries and awards in all Competitive Classes. At the end of the Show,

sweepstakes awards go to exhibitors and organizations accumulating the most points in a

particular area of the Show (e.g., Horticulture) or in all categories (grand sweepstakes).

Clubs and organizations receive points based on their club entries plus points earned by their

members. See the Exhibitor’s Guide for a list of awards.

AWARD POINTS

SPECIAL AWARDS

Ribbons, rosettes, and trophies are awarded by special panels of judges (PHS panels,plant-society panels, etc.). Points range from 7 to 25.

ENTRY POINTS

Each pre-entered plant that actually comes to the Show receives an entry point.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY POINTS

Each pre-entered plant receives an additional entry point on Thursday as an incentive

to keep the Show fresh for the second weekend. Post-entered plants entered on Friday

and Monday do not receive entry points. However, post-entered plants on Thursday

now receive the additional point, again as an incentive.

Online linkshttp://theflowershow.com/get-involved/exhibit-at-the-flower-show

Check back here to download additional resources

(e.g., Hort classes point scales, how to use FSDB, etc.)

as they become available.

Videos

PHS Mission

We connect people with horticulture,

and together create beautiful, healthy,

and sustainable communities.

Proceeds

from the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

benefit the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

and its initiatives,

including the PHS Plant One Million

tree campaign and PHS City Harvest,

which provides locally grown, fresh produce

for underserved families.

For More Information

• PHSonline.org

• theflowershow.com