The Annual Open Class “Flower Show” will be held during the Bon Homme County 4-H Achievement Days. The flower exhibits should be entered on Thursday, August 1st, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the 4-H Grounds. The two show divisions for the cut flowers are 1. Single bud/flower and 2. Arrangement of one or more kinds of flowers. There is no limit on the number of entries per exhibitor. All exhibits will be judged and the “Best of Show” will be selected in each of the two divisions. The judging criteria will include: stage of cutting, flower size-color-quality, and absence of any signs of insects, diseases, or other pests problems. Please use a small container to display your cut flowers; showy vases take away from the flower exhibit. Small, clear-glass beverage bottles or small vases work quite well for the single cut flower entries. Large glass bottle or jars can be used for the entries in the floral arrangement division. Cut flowers should be cut early in the morning or late in the evening the night before they are to be exhibited. Take a container of luke warm water into the garden when cutting flowers. Use a sharp knife or good pruning shears to cut the flowers. Immediately place the cut stems in the water. When all the flowers have been cut, take them indoors. Use a sharp knife to recut the stems and place them back in the water. A f lower preservative solution may be used to increase the vase life of the cut flowers. Floral preservative is generally available. A simple home recipe can be used as well. It consists of one part water and one part lemon-lime (non-diet) soda. If possible, place the flowers in the refrigerator if you are cutting them the day before the show. Do not place fresh cut flowers into a refrigerator that contains fruit. The gases produced by the fruit will shorten the life and quality of the flowers. Annual or perennial flowers may be exhibited. Spike types of flowers are best cut at a stage when 1/3 of the flowers are fully open, 1/3 are showing good signs of color, and 1/3 are still in bud. Other flowers are generally at the best stage if the outer anthers are just beginning to shed pollen. All flower gardeners are encouraged to participate in the show. For more information or questions please contact the 4-H Office at 589-3531.