Showing Tips

Some Showing Tips for the Beginner

• A novice exhibitor has just as much of a chance of winning a ribbon as the experienced exhibitor!
• Try to bring your best stems to show.
• Lily Shows are judged by accredited North American Lily Society Judges.
• Aim to have as many open blooms as possible without having any faded or past their prime. At least one bud must be fully open in order to judge the stem.
• Flowers should be fresh, clean, undamaged with no distortions in the stem such as bent or leaning.
• Cut the stem to two-thirds of the entire length of the stem, leaving at least one third of the stem in the garden to feed the remaining bulb.
• No disease should be apparent.
• Do not remove the pollen and anthers from the lily for the show table, but do clean off all pollen which has fallen on the petals.
• Clean all debris, spider webs, etc. from stems – a show stem is a clean stem!
• ARLS has knowledgeable lily enthusiasts available during show entry hours to help.
• A classification team member will place your stem in the appropriate category in the show.
• Stem holders are available at the show – carefully pack up your stems in buckets, and bring them in.
• Show rules and further details are found within the two show schedules. See the ARLS website or your favourite supporting garden centre for an ARLS show schedule.
• The Design Section of the Annual Show is for creative floral arrangements. Anyone interested in floral arranging can enter a design. Design Rules found in the Annual Show Schedule.
• Please contact the Show Chairpersons for more details or see the ARLS website.
• Most of all, come out and have fun! ARLS is a not-for-profit group interested in promoting lilium as a beautiful garden plant.

Volunteers always needed and new members welcome!