Manuals available!
4-H 966 Floriculture: Level A
4-H 967 Floriculture: Level B
4-H 968 Floriculture: Level C
4-H 969 Floriculture: Level D
CD-4-H 989 Floriculture: Supplement CD
Floriculture Supplemental CD - This CD includes a database of photos of flowers and arrangements that illustrate concepts from all levels of the 4-H Floriculture curriculum (Levels A, B, C and D).
State Fair Entries:
Each county will be allowed to send one (1) flower and plant exhibit per category per level and one (1) poster or notebook exhibit per level, and one (1) demonstration per exhibitor. Total entries allowed per county: Level A, four (4) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook; Level B, three (3) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook; Level C, six (6) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook; and Level D, six (6) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook.
** Fair Entry – You MUST register your 4-H project in Fair Entry if you plan to exhibit at the 4-H Fair. See page 21. **
Level A (Grades 3 & 4)
Flower and plant categories
- Create a flower arrangement in a simple bud vase, provide your own vase, from cut flowers you grew in your garden. Vase must be no more than 9 inches tall by 3 inches wide, neck opening of vase not to exceed 1.5 inches and be clear or white only. Include 1-3 stems of a main flower, along with appropriate amount of filler flower and greenery.
- Create a flower arrangement in a simple bud vase, provide your own vase, from fresh flowers you purchased. Vase must be no more than 9 inches tall by 3 inches wide, neck opening of vase not to exceed 1.5 inches and be clear or white only. Include 1-3 stems of a main flower, along with appropriate amount of filler flower and greenery. Flowers should be in their natural state and not wired for display.
- Create a simple round arrangement (small, compact round cluster of flowers) with fresh flowers you purchased. Including the vase or container, it must be no larger than 12"x 12".
- Create a simple round arrangement (small, compact round cluster of flowers) with fresh flowers you grew. Including the vase or container, it must be no larger than 12"x 12".
Poster or Notebook Exhibits - choose any 1 of the following topics:
- Chronicle your work in your flower garden (planning, planting, care, harvest, an arrangement made with your flowers).
- Describe how you planned or designed your garden, including how you chose the kinds of flowers.
- Explain how you harvested your flowers, cared for them, and used them in an arrangement.
- Explore and explain: pollination — what it is, why it is important, different ways it occurs; OR transplanting — what, how, things to watch out for; OR role of insects with flowers (good, bad, or both).
- Explore and explain seed germination or how to care for a “sick” plant.
- Report on an interview with a professional (what they do, types of jobs, type of training, hours worked, etc.).
- Describe an experiment you did and the results.
- Describe a community service project you did related to your flowers project.
Action Demonstration - Participate in an action demo or contest related to topics for this grade level or any of those listed above.
Level B (Grades 5 & 6)
Flower and plant categories
- Display a mixed planter that may include herbs with foliage plants and/or flowering plants. The planter should include 3 or more kinds of plants and have been planted at least 2 months before the fair. The container exhibit space must not exceed 18"x 18" (height will be variable); must include 4-H 967c “Level B Plant Record” chronicling the care of your plant.
- Make an item with dried herbs or dried flowers that you grew yourself. Examples of items to exhibit are, but not limited to: a dried flowers product or a simple dried arrangement in a container. The exhibit must not exceed 18” x 18” (height will be variable).
- Display 1 houseplant (foliage or flowering) in a container not to exceed 10 inches in diameter. There must be only one specimen plant per pot. A flowering plant may be of any color with single or double flowers. Must include 4-H 967c Level B Plant Record chronicling the care of your plant.
Poster or Notebook Exhibits - Choose any 1 of the following topics:
- Report how you harvested your flowers and/or herbs, cared for them, dried them, and used them.
- Explore and explain: insects and your flowers and/or herbs.
- Explore and explain: starting seeds indoors — the process and pros and cons.
- Explore and explain: perennials — what are they, how are they used, benefits or drawbacks.
- Investigate and describe: a butterfly garden — what types of plants, benefits to insects and butterflies, etc.
- Describe how you planned or designed your garden, including how you chose the kinds of plants, any problems, successes.
- Describe your houseplant - how you cared for, transplanted to larger pot, any problems or successes.
- Explore and explain: plant biology-form and function, growth, photosynthesis, etc.
- Explore and explain: how to grow plants indoors — things to consider, common problems and solutions.
- Explore and explain: environmental effects related to plants (such as light, water, soil, or temperature).
- Describe an experiment you did and the results.
- Explore and explain topics from "Imagine That" — plants around the world, information about different cultural uses of plants, different ways you used your plants/herbs/flowers.
Action Demonstration – Participate in an action demo or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level, or any of those listed above.
Level C (Grades 7, 8 & 9)
Flower and plant categories
- Display a terrarium - Size of the terrarium should be appropriate for use on a table at home and no larger than 12" deep, 18" long, and 16" high. Must have a cover while on exhibit. See activity information for design.
- Combination or European planter - Exhibit a container of plants (3 or more kinds of plants) that you have planted and cared for a minimum of 2 months. See activity for information on plants and design. The container should not exceed exhibit space of 18" x 18" (height will be variable).
- Create 1 corsage or 2 boutonnieres made from only fresh flowers. Corsages should contain 3 or more blooms. NO artificial flowers or greenery should be used in this category. Bows and decorative items are OK.
- Create 1 corsage or 2 boutonnieres made from silk or other artificial flowers and greenery. Can be created with mixed fresh and artificial materials or all artificial. Bows and decorative items are OK.
- A dried arrangement in a container or a specialty item (such as, but not limited to, a wreath or swag) made with dried flowers and dried plant materials. NO artificial flowers/plant material should be included. Bows and decorative items are OK. Maximum size 24" x 24" (height will be variable).
- Create a flower arrangement using either roses or lilies as the primary component of the arrangement. Arrangement should be made with all fresh materials (NO artificial flowers/plant material). Bows and decorative items are OK. The exhibit must not exceed 18” x 18” (height will be variable).
Poster or Notebook Exhibits – Choose any 1 of the following topics:
- Explain how you planned, chose plants, cared for, transplanted to a larger pot, etc., your combination planter or terrarium.
- Explore and explain: vegetative propagation — how to, different types, problems and solutions, and different uses.
- Explore and explain: plant nutrients — what are they, why does the plant need them, what happens if the plant has too much or too little, planters or containers vs. garden.
- Investigate the design of multiple plant containers — how to, things to consider, selecting plant materials, uses of.
- Describe how you created your corsage or boutonnieres; or dried arrangement. Be sure to include appropriate information on design principles and how they are used to create your arrangement.
- Explore and explain: floral tools and materials (how to use, what they are, care of tools, different uses of a tool or material).
- Explore and explain: preserving cut flowers — how, problems, uses of and/or diseases related to cut flowers.
- Illustrate, explore, and explain how you dry flowers or other plant materials and/or describe different methods and/or how to and why use them.
- Explore and explain: medicinal uses and toxicity of fresh and dried flowers and plants.
- Describe an experiment you did and the results.
- Describe a career exploration activity you did, such as job shadow or interview with a professional.
- Describe a community service activity you did related to your flowers project — what you did, why, results, etc.
Action Demonstration – Participate in an action demo or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level or any of those listed above.
Level D (Grades 10 – 12)
Flower and plant exhibit categories
- Create a seasonal arrangement from only fresh flower and/or plant materials. Flowers and plant materials specific to a season or holiday should be used. For example, fall mums or spring tulips. Maximum size: 24” x 24” x 36”. This category could include a traditional floral arrangement, but also items such as wreaths. Bows and decorative accessories are OK.
- Create a seasonal arrangement that can include fresh and/or artificial flower/plant material. Flowers and plant materials specific to a season or holiday should be used. Maximum size: 24” x 24” x 36”. This category could include a traditional floral arrangement, but also items such as wreaths. Bows and decorative accessories are OK.
- Create a modern or contemporary style arrangement using fresh flower and plant materials. See manual for suggestions. Maximum size: 24" x 24" x 36". Include a label that states what type of design you have created (botanical, pavè, parallel, free-form, abstract, etc.)
- Create a bridal bouquet. Proper display of the bouquet should be considered, but only the bouquet will be judged. Bouquet should include only fresh plant materials. Bows and decorative accessories are OK.
- Create a centerpiece for an event, such as a banquet, party, wedding, funeral, or church. Arrangement should be no larger than 24" x 24" x 36" and be made from EITHER fresh flowers and/or plant materials or artificial or silk flowers and/or plant materials. Bows and decorative accessories are OK.
- Display a plant that you propagated (and grew and cared for) by tissue culture or other vegetative propagation methods, or flowering bulbs that you forced. Maximum pot size should not exceed 10" diameter. Must include 4-H 969c Level D Plant Record chronicling the care of your plant.
- Poster or Notebook Exhibits - choose any 1 of the following topics:
- Describe how you created your arrangement, include information on the design principles used.
- Explore and explain how you use different flowers to make a similar style arrangement for different seasons (tulips in spring, mums in fall, etc.) or how to use similar flowers to make different styles of arrangements.
- Explore and explain: the cost of an arrangement and/or a cost comparison with flowers (different types of flowers, different time of year, etc.).
- Explore and explain: forcing flowers (bulbs, branches, etc.).
- Explore and explain: marketing in the floral industry (large or small business) and/or a market survey and results, and how they can benefit the floral industry.
- Explore and explain: how to start a business related to the floral industry; may include a business plan.
- Explore and explain the origins of flowers and/or the floriculture industry around the world.
- Explore and explain: tissue culture, biotechnology, or traditional breeding of new flower types — what are they? How are they used? Pros and cons.
- Explore and explain: be a plant detective — what kinds of problems might you have in growing and caring for flowers and how to solve.
- Describe an experiment you did and the results.
- Describe a community service activity you did related to your flowers project: how, why, results.
- Action Demonstration – Participate in an action demo or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level or any of those listed above.
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