3. LEAVES. The lowest branch may have a leaf at-tached.
Any diseased foliage should be neatly
removed or trimmed. Trimming should follow the
natural contour of the leaf and remove no more than
one-fourth inch of foliage edges.
4. ENTRY TAGS. Make sure that your entry tags
have the proper name for each entry. It is your re-sponsibility
that the iris be properly named and
labeled. Only properly named irises may be awarded
ribbons. Get some entry tags from a show commit-tee
member before the show and fill them out at
home so you can devote your full attention to
grooming your entries the morning of the show.
43
5. TRANSPORTATION. Hauling the stalks to the show without incur-ring
damage is difficult and often frustrating. One system that many ex-hibitors
use is a case of bottles of proper size (milk bottles are excellent).
Another method is the “bucket of newspapers." A few days before the
show, roll the newspapers tightly, rubber band them and place them
vertically in a bucket. Add enough water to saturate the paper. Insert the
stalks so that the blooms do not touch each other and are held firmly
enough so as not to sway. A little more water in the bottom keeps the
bucket heavy enough to prevent tipping and keeps the irises fresh. What-ever
your system, be sure that the stalks will not sway into each other.
Remember to carefully label each stalk so that the Entry Tag is correct.