My best advise is to relax and have fun! If you spray you will want to do some preventive spraying to keep your roses clean of pests and diseases. Otherwise you just have to wait and see what the roses give you to work with on that day. There will probably be lots of people there with some experience and you'll find they're very friendly and happy to help you out so don't be afraid to ask questions. My first show I had people offer help before I could even ask for it. Rosarians are really a great bunch of people! Good luck!

Oh, I could go on for days...

What classes are you entering? If that question is confusing, then the first thing is to get a copy of the rose show schedule. This will tell you the classes of roses that are can be entered, along with the general rules for the show (very important!). Also, see if you can get entry tags and fill those out with your name and any other information other than the variety name ahead of time.

Unless the show has a "Seedling Class", you MUST know the correct exhibition name of each variety entered. The show chairperson should have a copy of the most recent Handbook for Selecting Roses, the Official List of Exhibition Names, and access to the Modern Roses database.

Next, understand what's referred to as "exhibition form" for hybrid teas, miniatures, and minifloras (if you are entering those types of roses). Your entries should be as fresh as possible.

You are allowed to remove petals and trim leaves. You may not use a leaf shine or oil to make the leaves look better. You may use a soft cloth or cotton balls to polish the leaves and bring out the natural oils.

When you get the show schedule, don't overlook the special classes such as "English Box" or "Rose in a Bowl". These are useful if the blooms are nice, but the stems are short or the foliage is not good.

Leave yourself plenty of time for entries. If you think you have enough time, you won't. I recommend starting with a small number of entries until you get the hang of the process. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

See if anyone in the Rose Society has a copy of "Showing Good Roses" (it is out of print) and/or the Guidelines and Rules for Judging Roses that they will lend to you. These will help you understand what the judges are looking for in an entry.

Here's an article from Kitty Belendez, "Helpful Hints for the Novice Rose Exhibitor". Kitty also has a video on the Santa Clarita Rose Society site on grooming.

Happy to answer more questions (I'm a Horticulture Judge).

These vids are great! I hank you. I am familiar with the classes and I know the categories. I usually grow ogrs, shrub roses and Austin roses with a few HTs in the mix. HTs are not my strong suit , but there are pleanty of categories for arrangements etc, so I know there will be a place for me. :)

Here are the classes:

Class 1. SMALL GARDEN TROPHY

One (1) specimen Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora, exhibition form. A small garden has 25 or fewer rose bushes. Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, donor.

Class 2. MODERN SHRUB SPRAY TROPHY

In memory of George Barbuty. One (1) spray of two or more blooms. Stem- on-stem allowed. Susan Barbuty, donor.

Class 3. FULLY-OPEN HYBRID TEA COLLECTION TROPHY

Three (3) fully-open Hybrid Teas in one container, stamens showing, same or different varieties. Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, donor.

Class 4. THE SCOTT CHAIT FRAGRANCE TROPHY

In the spirit of Scott Chait. Most fragrant Hybrid Tea to be judged by the public. Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, donor.

Class 5. THE GPBRS FRAGRANCE TROPHY

Most fragrant rose, any class or variety EXCEPT Hybrid Tea, to be judged by the public. Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, donor.

Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, donor.

CHALLENGE CLASSES

CLASS 6. CYCLE OF BLOOM

Three (3) specimens, Hybrid Teas or Grandifloras of the same variety in three stages of opening: One bud with sepals down, one bloom at exhibition stage and one bloom fully open, in separate vases. Entry may be placed on show table by the exhibitor with the assistance of the placement committee.

CLASS 7. REFLECTIONS

One (1) specimen, Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, or Floribunda and one matching Miniature or Miniflora, each at exhibition stage, in separate vases. Entry may be placed on show table by the exhibitor with the assistance of the placement committee.

CLASS 8. FLOATING ROSE*

One (1) specimen, Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora at exhibition stage, without stem or foliage, floating in an open bowl, no petals below waterline. Entry may be placed on show table by the exhibitor with the assistance of the placement committee. Only one entry per exhibitor allowed. ARS Certificate.

*Rose bowls are limited in quantity, consequently, they are furnished on a first come, first served basis.

SPECIMEN CLASSES

HYBRID TEAS & GRANDIFLORAS AND THEIR CLIMBING SPORTS

CLASS 9. One-Bloom-Per-Stem Hybrid Teas and Grandifloras

One (1) stem, exhibition stage, no side buds. Entries in this class will be staged alphabetically by variety name. Eligible for Queen, King, Princess and Court of Honor. Exhibitors may submit as many entries as desired, but no duplicates. ARS Certificates: Gold, Silver and Bronze

CLASS 10. Fully-open Bloom, Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora

One (1) specimen, one-bloom-per-stem Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora, with stamens visible. Single types are excluded. ARS Certificate.

FLORIBUNDAS & POLYANTHAS

CLASS 11. Floribunda Spray

One (1) spray of two or more blooms as naturally grown. Eligible for Prince of Show. ARS Certificate.

CLASS 12. One-Bloom-Per-Stem Floribunda

One (1) stem, one bloom, no side buds or disbudded, shown at its perfect phase of beauty. ARS Certificate.

CLASS 13. Polyantha Spray

One (1) spray or cluster. Removal of spent blooms permitted. ARS Certificate.

CLIMBERS & HYBRID WICHURANAS

(Climbing Sports of Hybrid Teas or Grandifloras are not permitted in this section)

CLASS 14. One (1) specimen, may be exhibited either disbudded or as a spray of two or more blooms. ARS Certificate.

SHRUBS

Show as naturally grown or disbudded; stem-on-stem allowed. If naturally grown, they may be shown one bloom and immature side buds.

CLASS 15. Classic Shrub

One (1) specimen of spray or bloom listed in “ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses” or “Modern Roses XI or XII” (classified HK or, HMoy, HMsk, HRg). ARS Classic Shrub Certificate.

CLASS 16. Modern Shrub

One (1) specimen of spray or bloom listed in the “ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses” or “Modern Roses XI or XII” (classified S). ARS Modern Shrub Certificate.

CLASS 17. Modern Shrub Collection

Three (3) one-bloom-per-stem specimens in one container, same or different varities, listed in the “ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses” or “Modern Roses XI or XII” (classified S).

OLD GARDEN ROSES

Show as naturally grown; stem-on-stem allowed. They may be shown one bloom and immature side buds. Indicate class number on entry tags.

CLASS 18. The ARS Dowager Queen

One (1) specimen of an Old Garden Rose introduced prior to 1867. Indicate year introduced on upper left corner of entry tag. ARS Certificate

CLASS 19. The ARS Victorian

One (1) specimen of an Old Garden Rose introduced in 1867 or later.

Indicate year introduced on upper left corner of entry tag. ARS Certificate

CLASS 20. Floating OGR*

One (1) Old Garden Rose without stem or foliage, floating in an open bowl, no petals below waterline. One entry per exhibitor.

CLASS 21. Old Garden Rose Bouquet

Five (5), but not more than ten (10) varieties of Old Garden Rose and /or Shrub rose stems in a basket or vase provided by the exhibitor, with one entry tag. Oasis may be used. List varieties on the reverse of the entry tag.

*Rose bowls are limited in quantity, consequently, they are furnished on a first come, first served basis.

NOVICE

This section is open only to those exhibitors who have never won a blue ribbon in a rose show. ARS Certificate. (Novices may also compete in other sections of the schedule).

CLASS 22. One-Bloom-Per-Stem Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora

One (1) stem, disbudded, at exhibition stage. Eligible for Queen, King, Princess and Court of Honor

CLASS 23. Floribunda Spray

One (l) spray of two or more blooms as naturally grown or disbudded. Eligible for Prince of Show.

Theres a mini and miniflora category, but I don’t grow either type so I didn’t include it here. :)

You have received very good advice from from everyone. I am about to enter my 4th rose show and have gotten at least one entry to the table for the past three. Still working on that queen of show. My advice is enter as many different categories/classes as possible and just have fun! At our show, we have a novice category that you can enter if you have never won a blue ribbon. I won that my first year and was then hooked. Also, if you are not already a member of the American Rose Society, I suggest that you join. They have a wonderful website with tons of great information! This site too has been invaluable to me! Good luck!!!!!

Thanks everyone. Super wonderful advice. Can’t wait till the show!

OGRs and Austins (depending on the variety) can be hard to hold for the show. They can be refrigerated (like the others), but some (we are staring hard at you, Heritage) will lose petals as soon as you look at them.

Oh, Ken gives good advice, volunteer to clerk, you'll learn a lot.

Good luck, and we want pictures!

SoFl, I just want to wish you good luck. This sounds so interesting. When is the date ?

Jin

April 28-29 :)

We are having a Rose Society meeting the Monday before so they are going to give us advice and show us all the ropes, etc. :)

Can't wait to read your review about the show !