Rose Show Equipment
By Carol Macon - Master Rosarian
Sharp, narrow blade, pointed scissors with good balance. This is THE most important tool for grooming flowers. Use it for re-cutting stems at an angle underwater and trimming damaged petals and leaves. I use Joyce Chen Unlimited Garden Scissors, model #51-0231. If you do a web search on "Joyce Chen scissors", you'll find many sources. Fiskars also makes a fine-point scissors; I found a pair in a package of three different pruners at a local garden shop. Use these scissors ONLY to groom flowers.
Deckle-edged scissors. These are used to trim torn rose leaves. The best have a natural appearing, irregular edge and are sometimes available at craft stores. These are not a necessity, but are nice to have. Do not use pinking shears; they leave too coarse an edge. The idea is to trim a leaf to make it appear natural and less of a distraction. A good source for this item can be found at countryhousefloral.com or scrapbookingscissors.com.
Eyebrow tweezers with pointed ends. Use these to remove unwanted small petals or debris from the open centers of flowers.
Cotton swabs, such as Q-tips. Use cotton swabs to remove pollen debris from blooms.
Small, flat, soft artist's brush. I use a Grumbacher 626B, but make-up brushes are also very good. Use the brush, not your fingers, to manipulate petals.
Nonabsorbent floral foam and/or plastic food wrap to wedge roses upright in vases.
Small watering can or plastic bottle to top up water in containers.
Cloth or paper towels to mop up spills.
The latest issue of the ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses. the hand book contains the approved exhibition name and class of your rose.
Pens to fill out entry cards.
Notes:
Entry cards and rubber bands are supplied by the show committee, but you can bring your own. You may order entry cards on the American Rose Society website.
Optional: A tube of anti-bacterial ointment and a few band-aids.