Annual Show 2026 – 5th September

The 2025 Show was a great success. Let’s make the 2026 Show even better!

It was with great pleasure that we reported the success of our Annual Show held on Saturday 13th September 2025. A big vote of thanks are due to all those who helped at our first show at the Cookridge Village Hall and also of course to all who attended on the day and to the many people who entered exhibits.

Many thanks to the Show Secretary Maxine Asso and all the committee members who worked tirelessly along with the many who voluntarily gave their services before and on the day. Thank you also to the Judges for giving their expertise on the day. Your hard work was very much appreciated.

Once again many thanks to all – without you the Show wouldn’t have been the success that it was.

Annual Show and Competitions – Hints for Showing.

Given below are some useful hints and tips put together by members Joan Hopper, Eric Wells, and Peter Smith.

Hints for showing Flowers and plants.

• Read the schedule carefully and mark possible classes
• One week before the show start looking for possible entries
• One day before the show cut blooms and foliage. Put in cold water and keep in a cool place. If possible, cut extra in case of damage
• If showing plants, remove all dead heads and fruits on fuchsias. Remove badly marked/damaged leaves and pests.
• At the show, stage exhibits according to the schedule. If a specific number of stems is requested, make sure it’s correct. In the case of roses and dahlias remove any small buds as these are classed as a flower. At show level, one hybrid tea rose with a bud is two blooms. Roses should be ¾ open.
• Do not exceed any stated space e.g. where mentioned in Class details.
• Vases of different sizes are available on show day, but you may also bring your own.
• The pots for all pot plants should be clean, and of reasonable size for the plant inside.

Hints for showing Vegetables and fruit.

• The most important thing for all exhibitors is to make sure each item is fresh, clean and uniform.
• Uniformity is key, when showing a group of vegetables, as each one should be as similar as possible to each other, followed by cleanliness, especially root vegetables.
• If an item has a stalk such as peas, beans etc, these should be left intact at approx. ½”. Any white bloom should be left in place and the pods should be as smooth as possible.
• Cabbages and other green vegetables should have a 2” length of stem, as this demonstrates that the item has been grown and not bought at a shop. Carrots should have their leaves reduced to 6”, and cauliflowers have their leaves trimmed to the top of the head.
• Apples, pears, plums and all berries, should also be shown with their stalks intact. Apples with stalk end downwards, eye uppermost.
• Tomatoes, not overripe or with hard ‘green back’ colouring around the calyx. Aim for a uniform firm set of fruits with firm, fresh calyces. Stage with calycx uppermost.
• Small exhibits may be shown in a saucer, bowl or plate to enhance the look of the display. Paper plates are ideal. Exhibits can be placed directly onto the table, with their identification ticket.

Hints for showing Cacti and Succulents.

Peter Smith, Cookridge Garden Club member and Leeds branch secretary of the BCSS also offers the following advice and tips which relate to plants and in particular to cacti and succulents, which members may find helpful:-

• Wipe pots down or re-pot to ensure the plant is in a clean pot of the correct size ( not fully grown to the extreme edge of the pot or overhanging).
• Clean any cobwebs off and take any weeds out of the compost
• Deadhead old flowers
• Water one week before the show to ensure the plant can show growth ( it is important to show the plant is alive !)
• Put a top dressing of coloured grit to emphasize the colour of the plant and species
• Choose a plant that is in flower if possible
• Try to find a plant that is unusual and not common unless in a specific class
• It is good practice to put a nice label of the plant name in the pot.
• Remember if the plant smiles at you then it will have a chance in the show – presentation can be the edge that is needed.

Peter Smith,Leeds branch BCSS secretary

B.C.S.S. Branch meetings held Monthly – February to October at St Columba’s Hall Headingley Leeds LS 6 2DH Start 7:30.p.m.

We hope that all of the above proves useful in encouraging and helping you put together your exhibits.

A Special ‘Thank you’ to gardening club members Joan Hopper, Eric Wells and Peter Smith who have provided this information.