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Floriculture (2021)

Floriculture

 

State Fair Exhibits:

   Each county may choose to allow one arrangement type or one poster/notebook type exhibit per exhibitor (exhibitors are not required to do both).  Each exhibitor may also choose to do a demonstration in addition to an arrangement and/or notebook/poster.

 

Each county will be allowed to send one flower and plant exhibit per category per level and one poster or notebook exhibit per level and one demonstration per exhibitor. Total entries allowed per county: Level A, four flower and plant exhibits and one poster/notebook; Level B, three flower and plant exhibits and one poster/notebook; Level C, six flower and plant exhibits and one poster/notebook; and Level D, six flower and plant exhibits and one poster/notebook.

General Requirements:

 Comply with all the requirements listed at the beginning of this “4-H Exhibit Hall Project” section page 54 and “Indiana and Putnam County 4-H Policy/ Terms” section page 21.

  1. Exhibitors shall furnish their own containers.
  2. Plants must have drainage and have way to provide for water retention (i.e. saucers with pots or fiber baskets)
  3. Notebook Guideline: Needs to be a sturdy three ring binder or bound type notebook (with stiff covers). No report covers or similar styles. Information printed directly off the web will not be accepted; materials in notebook need to be educational both for the youth and the audience, and should demonstrate that the youth was able to take what he or she learned from their research (experiment, or on web, in library, etc.) and/or activities to create the notebook; pictures, graphics, and artwork are encouraged. Work should include references where appropriate. Pictures, graphics, and artwork are encouraged.
  4. Each Level (A, B, C & D) of the Floriculture project serves more than one grade. You should do a different activity and exhibit each year that you are in the project. For example if in 3rd grade you display a simple bud vase (category 1), in 4th grade you should choose a poster/notebook option or flower/plant exhibit from categories 2, 3 or 4.
  5. Poster Guideline: Poster should "tell a story" or be informative to the audience. Will the viewer of your poster learn something from the exhibit? When designing your poster you should consider lines, shapes, textures, colors and placement of items; pictures, graphics and artwork are encouraged; make sure the poster accurately meets the guidelines and objectives of the activities in the manual; information printed directly off the web will not be accepted; materials included in the poster need to be educational, both for the youth and the audience, and should demonstrate that the youth was able to take what he or she learned from their research (experiment, or on web, in library, etc.) and/or activities to create the poster.

 

Level A     Grades 3 & 4

Exhibit one of the following:

Flower and Plant Exhibit options/categories:

  1. 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. Flowers should be in their natural state, and not wired for display.
  2. Create flower arrangement in a simple bud vase, provide your own vase, from fresh flowers you have 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.
  3. Create a simple round arrangement (small, compact round cluster of flowers) with fresh flowers you have purchased. Including the vase or container, must be no larger than 12” x 12" high.
  4. 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” high.

Poster or Notebook Exhibits – any one of the following topics

  1. Chronicle your work in your flower garden (planning, planting, care, harvest, arrangement made with your flowers).
  2. Describe how you planned or designed your garden, including how you chose the kinds of flowers.
  3. Explain how you harvested your flowers, cared for them, and used them in an arrangement.
  4. Explore and explain: pollination – what it is, why important, different ways it occurs or transplanting – what things to watch out for - or role of insects with flowers (good, bad or both).
  5. Explore and explain seed germination or how to care for a 'sick' plant.
  6. Report or interview with a professional (what do they do, type of jobs, type of training hours worked, etc.
  7. Describe an experiment you did and the results
  8. Describe a community service project you did related to your flowers project.

 

Demonstration – Participate in a Interactive Demonstration during the county fair or the county demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level.

 

Level B     Grades 5 & 6

Exhibit one of the following:

Flower and Plant Exhibit options/categories

  1. 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 two 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.
  2. Make an item with dried herbs or dried flowers that were grown by the 4-H'er. Example of items to exhibit could be but are not limited to a dried flowers product, or a simple dried arrangement in a container (exhibit not to exceed 18” x 18” ) height will be variable.
  3. Display one house plant (foliage and/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 record sheet 4-H 967C “Level B Plant Record” chronicling the care of your plant.

 

Poster or Notebook Exhibits - any one of the following

  1. Report how you harvested the flowers and/or herbs, cared for them, dried them and used them.
  2. Explore and explain: insects and flowers and/or herbs.
  3. Explore and explain: starting seeds indoors – the process and pros and cons.
  4. Explore and explain: perennials – what are they, how are they used, benefits or drawbacks
  5. Investigate and describe: a butterfly garden – what types of plants, benefits to insects and butterflies, etc.
  6. Describe how you planned or designed your garden, including how you chose the kinds of plants, any problems, successes.
  7. Describe your houseplant – how you cared for, transplanted to larger pot, any problems, or successes.
  8. Explore and explain: plant biology – form and function, growth, photosynthesis, etc.
  9. Explore and explain: how to grow plants indoors – things to consider, common problems and solutions.
  10. Explore and explain: environmental effects related to plants (such as light, water, soil, or temperature)
  11. Describe an experiment you did and the results.
  12. 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.

 

Demonstration – Participate in a Interactive Demonstration during the county fair or the county demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level.

 

Level C       Grades 7 – 9

Exhibit one of the following:

Flower and Plant Exhibit options/categories

  1. Display a terrarium – size should be no larger than 12" deep, 18" long and 16" high. It must have a cover while on exhibit. See activity information for design.
  2. Combination or European planter – exhibit a container of plants (3 or more kinds) that you have planted and cared for during a minimum of 2 months. The container should not exceed exhibit space of 18" x 18"(height will be variable) See activity for information on plants and design.
  3. Create one corsage or two boutonnieres made from only fresh flowers, containing 3 or more blooms. Can be created with mixed fresh and artificial materials, or all artificial. Bows and decorative items are okay.
  4. Create one corsage or two boutonnieres made from silk or other artificial flowers and greenery. Can be created with mixed fresh and artificial materials, or all artificial.
  5. A dried arrangement in a container or specialty item made with dried flowers and plant materials. NO artificial or silk flowers or plant materials . Bows and decorative items are okay.  Maximum size 24" x 24" (height will be variable).
  6. Create a flower arrangement using either roses or lilies as the primary component of the arrangement. Should be made with all fresh materials (NO artificial flowers / plant materials). Bows and decorative items are okay.  Must  not exceed 18” x 18” with variable height.

 

Poster or Notebook Exhibits

  1. Explore and explain: vegetative propagation -- how to, different types, problems and solutions.
  2. 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.
  3. Investigate the design of multiple plant containers -- how to, things to consider, and selecting plant materials.
  4. 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.
  5. Explore and explain: floral tools and materials (how to use, what they are, care of tools, different uses of a tool Or material)
  6. Explore and explain: preserving cut flowers -- how, problems, uses of and/or diseases related to cut flowers.
  7. Illustrate, explore and explain how you dry flowers or other plant materials and/or describe different methods and/or how, why use them.
  8. Explore and explain: medicinal uses and toxicity of fresh and dried flowers and plants.
  9. Describe an experiment you did and the results.
  10. Describe a career exploration activity you did, such as job shadow, interview with a professional.
  11. Describe a community service activity you did related to your flowers exhibit-- what you did, why, results, etc.

 

Demonstration – Participate in a Interactive Demonstration during the county fair or the county demonstration contest related to topics  for this grade level.

 

Level D      Grades 10-12

Exhibit one of the following:

Flower and Plant Exhibit options/categories

  1. 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 could be used.

Maximum size 24" x 24" x 36". Can be floral arrangement, and also items such as wreaths.  Bows and decorative accessories are okay.

  1. 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”.  Can be a traditional floral arrangement, and also items such as wreaths. Bows and decorative accessories are okay.

  1. Create a modern or contemporary style arrangement using fresh flower and plant materials.

Maximum size 24" x 24" x 36".  Include a label that states what type of design you have created (botanical,  pave, parallel, free-form, abstract, etc.).

  1. 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 okay.
  2. 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 flower and or plant materials or artificial or silk flower and/or plant materials.

Bows and decorative accessories are okay.

  1. 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

  1. Describe how arrangement was created; include information on the design principles utilized.
  2. Explore and explain how to utilize different flowers to make a similar style arrangement for different seasons (tulips in spring, etc.) or how to utilize similar flowers to make different styles of arrangements.
  3. Explore and explain: the cost of arrangement and/or a cost comparison with flower (different types of flowers, different time of year, etc.).
  4. Explore and explain : forcing flowers (bulbs, branches, etc.).
  5. 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.
  6. Explore and explain: how to start a business related to the floral industry and may include a business plan.
  7. Explore and explain the origins of flowers and /or the floriculture industry around the world.
  8. Explore and explain: tissue culture, biotechnology, or traditional breeding of new flower types – what are they, how are the used, pros and cons.
  9. Explore and explain: be a plant detective – what kinds of problems might occur in growing and caring for flowers, and how to solve.
  10. Describe an experiment you did and the results.
  11. Describe a community service activity you did related to Your flowers project: how, why, results.

Demonstration – Participate in a Interactive Demonstration during the county fair or the county demonstration contest related to topics  for this grade level.

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