How to show roses - Part 4

Grooming the Rose
 
Participants of the Rose Show may show up at the Sugar House Garden Center as early as 7:00 a.m. You will have until 10:00 a.m. to prepare and groom your roses.  What do you do during this time?
 
First, you find the vases that you need, provided by the Utah Rose Society. You cannot use just any vase; it has to be a curtain size. When you arrive, someone will show you where to get your vases. There will be a staging area with tables set up, outside the front door. There you will gather the vases, put water and a rose in each vase. You may want to bring a watering can with you to fill the vases.
 
 Now you begin to groom your rose. The leaflets need to been cleaned of any residue of chemicals, or water spots. A soft damp cloth or wet nylon stocking works well for this.  The bloom petals can be brushed gently if they have dust or debris on them. A soft make-up brush works well for this.  If a part of a leaflet has a brown edge to it, gently trim off the brown edge with a pair of deckled scissors, again very gently.
 
 Next, you will need to decide exactly high tall you want your rose to stand out of the vase. A judge was once overheard saying that the stem should be seven times the height of the bloom.  This will put the rose at eye level of most judges, so they do not have to bend down to see your beautiful rose.  So cut your stem accordingly and put the rose gently back into the vase.
 
Now you will need to put a wedge in at the top of the vase to hold the rose stem in place. Any material may be used to support the rose except for clear plastic wrap. Good ideas are foil and floral oasis.
 
 Attach the identification tag (which you have already filled out) with a rubber band to the neck of the vase. Place the tag on the side of the vase where the judges can get the best view of your rose. (it is easiest to do this just before you place the rose in the vase).
 
 Lastly, place your rose on the Placement Table inside the front door and the committee will place your rose entry on the appropriate table to be judged.
 
            At this time, you can relax!!  You did it!! You placed your rose in the Rose Show!  At 12 noon all the participants are allowed back in to see their roses and how they performed. You can also enjoy all the many beautiful roses entered by your friends.