Fwd: Pot-Grown stems eligible for shows?

Daffnetters,
Finally it gets to the place where I feel the need to weigh in.
I have been growing my daffodils in pots, sunk in the ground for several years.  I do not feel that this method disqualifies me from entering stems in ADS shows.  I always thought that the only injunction that does not allow exhibiting them was if you radically changed the climate in which the flowers were grown.  This is my intrepretation of the rules.  That would include greenhouse growing and, I would think, bringing the pots in and out of a structure (house, garage, greenhouse, etc.).  Even some protection from the elements at the time of flowering was legal, as long as you did not completely enclose the plants, changing the climate, so to speak.  Protecting them from wind or rain with shade cloth and that kind of thing, would be perfectly legal.
Now, I could accept that a person could have the pots outside part of the growing time and put them inside during weather that would be too cold for them.  That seems to me to still, in effect, mean that they were grown out of doors. I have neither the energy nor the perseverance to do that.  I am still a purist in the sense that I would not want to compete with someone who has enough space for a real greenhouse, which I don’t.  If one were to grow pots inside all through the growing season, I would have to think that they were taking unfair advantage.  However, if you want to cart the pots in and out of whatever protection you have, good for you.  I probably won’t, but you may if you like.
As to Brian’s comment about less is more concerning rules.  I have to agree.  When people start making lots of rules, they usually say more than they mean and less than they need.
Ian mentioned that when the purpose is to protect from freezing and not to advance the bloom time, it seems to me, as well, that there should be no problem there.
I stand firmly in favor of practicallity.  Just use common sense.  On a personal note – I do not want to compete with my outdoor grown blooms with someone who grows them in a greenhouse.  But, As Bill said, we have no way of knowing if someone does that, anyway
In conclusion, I favor keeping the rule against growing them exclusively in a greenhouse but whatever process you need to use to get them to bloom and not die on you, should be legal.  I think keeping the rule that miniatures can be grown inside is still necessary.
Donna Dietsch
Columbus Ohio – preparing for Christmas and longing for spring

2 comments for “Fwd: Pot-Grown stems eligible for shows?


  1. In a message dated 12/14/2008 1:10:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,  title= writes:

    I always thought that the only injunction that does not allow exhibiting them was if you radically changed the climate in which the flowers were grown.  This is my intrepretation of the rules.  That would include greenhouse growing and, I would think, bringing the pots in and out of a structure (house, garage, greenhouse, etc.).  Even some protection from the elements at the time of flowering was legal, as long as you did not completely enclose the plants, changing the climate, so to speak.  Protecting them from wind or rain with shade cloth and that kind of thing, would be perfectly legal.

    Maybe the rule is just right the way it is–vague enough to allow all kinds of misconstruing and vague enough to be unenforceable! Would a rule clearly stated to prohibit greenhouse/indoor-grown plants with an addition allowing outdoor protection be too specific?
    Bill Lee

  2. Hi Bill
    It’s an interesting debate and you may think those of us this side of the pond should keep our noses out but  Doesn’t the present system you use give an unfair advantage to those who live and grow in the most sheltered and equitable environments?
    John Gibson

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