DEPARTMENT 17
Floral Exhibits

Refer to General Rules

Tips on Floral Exhibits

1. Plants will not be accepted unless they have been growing in their container for two months.
2. The management is not responsible for the return of exhibits.
3. Baskets and container must be supplied by exhibitor and will be given every possible care. 
4. All entries must be grown by exhibitor, except in arrangement classes.
5. Flowers entered must be of good quality.
6. The use of or displaying of artificial flowers is prohibited and no premiums will be paid.

Cut Flowers (Annuals & Perennials)

1. Cut fresh flowers with sharp knife on a slant.
2. Cut in morning or evening, when stems are full of water.
3. Place in warm water 100 degrees to 110 degrees to harden off.
4. Cool at air temperature indoors for about 2 hours.

Houseplants (Foliage & Flowering)

1. Plants should be evenly shaped and of good size.
2. Clean and free of diseases and insects.
3. No blemish on the leaves.
4. Leaves should be crisp and not wilted.
5. Flower blooms should be fresh and not old. 

Section 1: Flowering Houseplants

1. Only one species per pot - pot not to exceed 10" in width.

Class 1: African Violets - Any color or bicolor

• A. Single
• B. Double

Class 2: Wax Begonias, fibrous - rooted in bloom

• A. Single, any color
• B. Double, any color
• C. Any other variety - variegated, etc.

Class 3: Begonias, tuberous - rooted, in bloom

• A. Single or semi-double, any color
• B. Double, any color

Class 4: Flowering Hanging Basket
Class 5: Any other meritorious flowering houseplant not mentioned above

Section 2: Foliage Houseplants

1. Only one species per pot except in collection class. Pots are not to exceed 14" in width.

Class 1: Begonias, foliage type with or without flowers

• A. Large leaf, any variety
• B. Small leaf, any variety
• C. Rex

Class 2: Cacti

• A. One pot (1 plant)
• B. Cactus garden

Class 3: Coleus, any leave color

• A. One pot (1 plant)
• B. Planter

Class 4: Episcia, any leaf color
Class 5: Ferns

• A. Boston 0
• B. Any other variety

Class 6: Geranium, Pelargonium

• A. Ivy, any variety
• B. Scented, any variety
• C. Variegated foliage
• D. Bedding

Class 7: Potted Ivy
Class 8: Dish Garden or foliage plants consisting of three or more specimens in a container
Class 9: Terrariums or arrangement in closed container
Class 10: Non-Flowering Hanging Basket
Class 11: Philodendron
Class 12: Any other meritorious houseplant not mentioned

Section 3 - Specimen Flowers - Annuals

1. Exhibits in this division must be cut flowers grown by the exhibitor and must conform to the number of blooms, spikes, or stems specified in each class.
2. The uniformity of height, color, or size is an important factor in evaluating entries.
3. Flowers in each entry must be of of one color and variety unless otherwise stated.

Class 1: Ageratum - 3 stems
Class 2: Aster - 3 blooms
Class 3: Bells of Ireland - 3 stems
Class 4: Calendula - 3 blooms
Class 5: Celosia

• A. Crested, 1 stem
• B. Plume, 3 stems

Class 6: Cleoma (Spider Flower) - 3 stems
Class 7: Cosmos - 3 blooms
Class 8: Dahlias

• A. Cactus - 1 bloom
• B. Decorative - 1 bloom
• C. Pompon - 3 blooms
• D. Single - 3 blooms

Class 9: Gaillardia - 3 blooms
Class 10: Gladiolus - 1 spike

• A. Large flowering
• B. Small flowering

Class 11: Marigolds - 3 blooms

• A. African - large
• B. French - small, single
• C. French - double

Class 12: Nasturtiums - 3 blooms

• A. Single
• B. Double

Class 13: Pansy - 3 blooms
Class 14: Petunias - 3 blooms

• A. Single
• B. Double

Class 15: Rudbeckia (Gloriosa Daisy) - 3 blooms
Class 16: Salvia - 3 blooms

• A. Blue
• B. Red

Class 17: Scabiosa - 3 blooms
Class 18: Snapdragons - 3 spikes

• A. Single - standard
• B. Double

Class 19: Strawflowers - 3 blooms - mixed colors (fresh)
Class 20: Sweet Peas - 3 stems, mixed colors
Class 21: Zinnias 

• A. Giant - 3 blooms
• B. Cactus - 3 blooms
• C. Pompon - 3 blooms
• D. Novelty - 3 blooms

Class 22: Any other meritorious annual

Section 4 - Specimen Flowers - Perennials

1. Exhibits in this division must be cut flowers grown by the exhibitor and must conform to the number of blooms, spikes, or stems specified in each class.
2. The uniformity of height, color, or size is an important factor in evaluating entries.
3. Flowers in each entry must be of one color and variety unless otherwise stated.

Class 1: Chrysanthemums - 3 stems

• A. Single or Daisy type
• B. Spider or Japanese type
• C. Incurved type
• D. Anemone type

Class 2: Delphinium - 1 spike
Class 3: Dianthus (Hardy Pinks) - 3 blooms
Class 4: Lilies - 1 stalk
Class 5: Roses 

• A. Hybrid, tea, 1 flower, any color
• B. Floribunda - 1 stem
• C. Grandiflora - 1 stem
• D. Miniature - 1 stem

Class 6: Scabiosa - 3 blooms
Class 7: Any other Meritorious Perennials

Section 5 - Artistic Arrangements

1. Maximum care will be taken of the containers and accessories until they can be reclaimed by exhibitors but the fair cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss. Only fresh flowers and greens allowed unless specified. 
2. Premiums will be awarded as follows: 1st place - $25; 2nd place - $20; 3rd place - $15; 4th place - $10; 5th place - $8.

Class 1: 75th Anniversary of Plainfield Farmers' Fair
Class 2: Football season
Class 3: Vacation time: visit Hawaii
Class 4: Vacation time: Visit Netherlands (using a windmill)
Class 5: Vacation time: Visit the Sea Shore
Class 6: Puppy Love
Class 7: Wreaths

Section 6: Window Boxes

1. Containers should be approximately 24 x 8 x 8. All boxes must be planted and growing together for at least two months before the fair.
2. Boxes must be entered on Monday between 1:00 and 8:00 pm and placed in the floral department of the upper building. After judging, they will be displayed throughout the grove.
3. Premiums will be awarded as follows: 1st place - $25; 2nd place - $20; 3rd place - $15; 4th place - $10; 5th place - $5.
4. Be creative, have fun!