Below some useful hints for the last minute preparation and what to do when you arrive at the show. Experienced exhibitors will be aware of these procedures, but I hope that those entering the show for the first time will find it useful and remove some of the daunting mystique which surrounds fuchsia shows. We are looking forward to starting off this new century with the next crop of exhibitors. Remember that you'll never know what you can do until you've tried. Have a go, I'll promise you, you really will like the experience, there is nothing like being fully involved and sharing in the satisfying feeling of having played your full part in your annual show, in the end it is your plants that matter, without them we don't have shows. So be brave, take the plunge! Even our champion growers started off by just tentatively entering a few plants in the beginners classes! I would like to wish all first time exhibitors every success and hope that even if you do not win, you will enjoy taking part.

I assume you have already done the necessaries of growing, training and stopping of the plants with the show in mind and having studied the show schedule carefully that they are indeed in the correct type and size of pot.
Do not wait until the last minute to prepare your plants for the show, much of what needs doing can be done over a period of several days, even weeks.

TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SHOW

• To improve the freshness and vigour of the foliage, give the plants one full strength feed of Chempak No. 2 (or other high nitrogen feed) and then revert back to your normal water and feed.
  

10 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SHOW

• Remove all open flowers. They will be past their best on the day of the show and will drop pollen on the foliage if left on the plant, or, faded and past it, you will have to remove them anyway on the eve of the show when there is already so much else to do. (One year, 1992 I think - those were the days!, I thought my full standard of Celia Smedley was flowering far too early - I removed a whole bucketful of blooms just over a week before the show, .
  
• following this advice from Ken Pilkington, and was rewarded with a superb fresh crop of blooms in peak condition on the day of the show, a red card and…...a Best in Show Award!!)
  
• If you have been growing your plants outside, which they do seem to like best, now is the time to put them back into a greenhouse (and hope and pray we won't get a heatwave!) Make sure there is adequate ventilation, but cover the open windows and doors with netting to prevent bees & wasps entering, their footprints mark flowers quite badly, and should therefor be kept out; damage is especially noticeable on the white and pastel coloured varieties.
  

ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE SHOW

• You will have a fair idea which plants will be suitable or ready for the Show date. Double check they are in correct type and size of pot, though it is the plants that are judged not the pot, rules are rules and need to be conformed to, so don't risk being N.A.S.'d Don't try and pot up or down at this late stage, or, as has happened, dig up a plant from the garden - it just won't work, the judges will find you out!
  
• Check the show schedule and note which plants will be entered into which class number and pencil in on the entry form.
  
• Check now that your plants are pest and disease free . There will still be time to clear minor problems, but on no account take badly infected plants to the Show, it is not fair on other competitors whose plants could be contaminated and if spotted by stewards or judges your plant would be removed anyway.
  
• Replace faded or dirty name labels.
  
• Collect all the bits and pieces you need for the Show day i.e. scissors, secateurs, knife, tweezers, split canes, invisible cotton, green string or wire, labels, marker pen, plant carrier, trays, boxes, small watering can, enough saucers of the correct sizes for all your exhibits and some spares, an old hanky or piece of cloth to remove pollen from the foliage etc. etc.
  
• If you have a hanging basket or pot to enter, consider how you will transport it without damage. Large plants, can be transported with safety if fixed into cardboard boxes. (see orange panels on lefthand side of this page).
  
• If you have a large number of plants to transport, it is not a bad idea to have a 'dry run' of loading your car, so that you can sort out the best position for each tray, box, bucket etc.
  

FOUR TO FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE SHOW

• Make out your entry form and send to the Secretary or Show Manager. The stipulated deadline is usually one or two days before the show - check! . This will allow the organisers to plan the space required for each class when setting up the show benches. (Late entries are at most shows accepted if space permits, but will need to be registered on arrival.)
  

THE DAY PRIOR TO THE SHOW

• Water all of your plants well and allow them to drain. Collect them together in your garage, car port, conservatory etc. to save time on the Show day.
  
• Make sure you are familiar with the plants to be entered in each class and list - down any additional entries not yet notified to the Show Secretary.
  
• Put your 'gubbins' box'( scissors labels etc.) with your plants and carriers.
  
• Remove yellowing or marked leaves, any open blooms, clean out all debris and moss from the surface of the compost and dress the top of the pot with fresh compost.
  
• Clean the outside of all pots. Or do as the experts exhibitors do: though it is usually stated that a plants must be shown in the pot it was grown in, the general practise is that, to ensure clean pots are put on the bench (to gain extra presentation marks in close contests), exhibitors have a second, identical, set of new, fairly new or thoroughly clean pots at the ready. The show plants are lifted out of their present pots just prior to going to the show and put into the new, clean ones. When the show ends it is reversed, the newish pots kept in fine condition for the next show.
  

• Set your alarm to get up in good time! There are always a few unforeseen last minute jobs to be seen to!
  
• Load the car with plants and check off against your entry form to ensure nothing is left behind. Set off in good time and drive carefully. Cornering on two wheels and harsh braking is not recommended!
  
• On arriving at the Show venue, try to park as near as possible to the hall entrance. Before unloading go into the hall and get some idea of layout, and where you can put your plants for final dressing before staging them. If there are no tables available, find a Show Steward who will help you to find an area to do your staging.
  
• The Show Secretary will have a table close to the entrance and will have the entry cards ready for collection. At the same time, notify the Show Secretary of any additional plants you wish to register for entry, and the respective entry cards will be made out. Please also advise the Show Secretary of any registered entries you wish to delete.
  
• Bring in the plants, a few at a time, and give them a final check.
  
• Clean any pollen off the foliage. (Moist hankerchief!)
  
• Check all plants for any visible canes.
  
• Remove any missed damaged or spend flowers, damaged, yellowing or marked leaves and seedpods.
  
• Give one last check for debris that might have fallen on the compost.
  
• Dress the plants by pulling out of the foliage any 'hidden' blooms and lay them on top of the leaves, covering the whole plant evenly. You may find a small cane or knitting needle handy for teasing out these blooms. (Some really brave souls get hold of the plant, and turn it upside down, gently shaking out the hidden flowers!!).
  
• When you are satisfied that you have fully prepared the plant, select the correct entry card and write the name of the variety in the space provided, then place the plant on a saucer on the show bench. The class/number card must be placed on the bench in front of your plant FACEDOWN. (If you do not know the name of the plant you are staging, the entry under 'name' should be marked, 'not known, judge please name'). Position your plant with its best side to the front and displayed to its best advantage. Check the plant is placed in the area for the correct class number. If there is insufficient room on the bench for your plant DO NOT move other exhibitor's entries, but find a Show steward who will make room and move any exhibits.
  
• Continue to do the same for each exhibit, keeping an eye on the clock to ensure you do not run out of time.
  
• If you have a basket or hanging pot, it should he placed on the hanging rail or wire and the entry card placed on the top of the foliage. Ensure it is in the correct area for the class number you have entered. Once again turn the basket so the best side is facing forward.