Rules – Floriculture (Classes 1-46):
- Youth may exhibit a maximum of FOUR (4) entries per person in classes 1-46 and 901-902 (cut flowers). Since cut flowers are seasonal, youth may substitute and exhibit in any class, however, youth are still limited to ONE EXHIBIT PER EXHIBIT CLASS NUMBER. Entries must be the work of the 4-H member.
- For Classes 1-23: Cut Flower Annuals and Biennials – Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
- For Classes 30-36: Cut Flower Perennials – Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
- The cultivar or variety name must be included on all entries. If potted container with several cultivar or varieties, identify each individually within the pot. Failure to identify the cultivar or variety will drop the entry one ribbon placing. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor.
- Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or containing an incorrect number of stems will be lowered one ribbon placing. In classes 23, 45 & 46, do not duplicate entries from the already listed classes or entry will be dropped one ribbon placing. For example: 4-H members with two cultivars or varieties of marigolds can only enter the marigold class and cannot enter the other cultivar or variety in any other class.
- A perennial is defined as a plant of which the crown overwinters.
- An annual is a plant that grows from seed each season, whether self-seeded or planted by the gardener.
- A biennial is a plant that germinates, grows and overwinters as a crown, blooms the following year and dies.
- Foliage will be considered when the exhibit is judged.
- All three or five stems of cut flowers should be the same cultivar and color, do not mix cultivars and colors. Containers will not be judged; however, they should be clear glass containers that won’t tip over and of adequate size to display blooms. Any exhibit not in a clear glass container will be dropped one ribbon placing. NO SCREW ON LIDS OR SCREW ON RINGS AND FLATS MAY BE USED. To hold flowers in place it is suggested to use tin foil or a type of plastic wrap with holes poked into it or frog lids. Do not use containers that are valuable, as you may not get them back. (Containers may not be returned from the State Fair.)
- Follow the guidelines in 4-H “Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits” 4H227 (revised 2016) when preparing entries for the fair. Available at the extension office or free download at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyhorticulture.
FLORICULTURE (Scoresheet SF106)
PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00
Cut Flower Annuals and Biennials (Classes 1-23) - Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
G770001 Aster
G770002 Bachelor Buttons
G770003 Bells of Ireland
G770004 Browallia
G770005 Calendula
G770006 Celosia (crested or plume) (3 stems)
G770007 Cosmos
G770008 Dahlia
G770009 Dianthus
G770010 Foxglove
G770011 Gladiolus (3 stems)
G770012 Gomphrena
G770013 Hollyhock (3 stems)
G770014 Marigold
G770015 Pansy
G770016 Petunia
G770017 Salvia
G770018 Snapdragon
G770019 Statice
G770020 Sunflower (under 3-inch diameter - 5 stems, 3 inches or more in diameter - 3 stems)
G770021 Vinca
G770022 Zinnia
G770023 Any other annual or biennial (Under 3-inch diameter-5 stems, 3 inches or more in diameter-3 stems) (do not duplicate entries in classes 1-22)
Cut Flower Perennials (Classes 30-46) - Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
G770030 Achillea/Yarrow
G770031 Chrysanthemum
G770032 Coneflower
G770033 Coreopsis
G770034 Daisy
G770035 Gaillardia
G770036 Helianthus
G770037 Hydrangea (3 stems)
G770038 Liatris (3 stems)
G770039 Lilies (3 stems) Not Daylilies
G770040 Platycodon
G770041 Rose (3 stems)
G770042 Rudbeckia/Black-eyed Susan
G770043 Sedum
G770044 Statice
G770045 Any other perennial (under 3-inch ter-5 stems, 3 inches or more in diameter-3 stems)
(do not duplicate entries in classes 30-44)
G770046 4-H Flower Garden Collection of 5 different cut flowers (Scoresheet SF106) - Flowers are to be cut not potted. Each flower in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes 1-45. Display in a box or other holder not more than 18 inches in any dimension. Do not duplicate entries in classes 1-45 with any in the group collection. Boxes may not be returned from the State Fair.
**G770901 Hanging Basket
**G770902 County Only Floriculture Exhibit
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS (Classes 50-53) Entries per Individual - One entry per exhibitor per class. Limit of 4 entries per exhibitor per project.
G770050 Flower Notebook (Scoresheet SF100) - Exhibit a notebook containing pictures of flowers grown in Nebraska. There must be at least 10 different species of annuals and/or biennials and 10 different species of perennials hardy to Nebraska. Bulbs may be included in a separate section. 4-H members may show more than one cultivar of the same species, but they will only count as one species. The notebook must be the result of the current year’s work. Pictures from garden catalogs, hand drawn pictures, or photographs may be used. Each species/cultivar must be labeled with the correct common name and scientific name; the height and spread of the plant and the growing conditions (for example: needs full sun and dry sandy soil) the species prefers. In addition to this information, bulbs should also be labeled as spring or summer flowering. Give proper credit by listing the sources of pictures and information used. The 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s), must be on the back of the notebook.
G770051 Flower Garden Promotion Poster (Scoresheet SF103) - Individual poster promoting flower gardening, size 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be in any medium: watercolor, ink, crayon, etc. as long as it is not three-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will not be accepted. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
G770052 Educational Flower Garden Poster (Scoresheet SF104) - Prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (three-dimensional if needed) either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project you have done or learned about in a 4-H flower or houseplant project. One might show a special technique used or equipment incorporated in your garden. Refer to 4-H horticulture project manuals but use your own creativity. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
G770053 Flower Gardening History Interview (Scoresheet SF105) - Neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview whose flower garden has inspired you. Maximum of four pages of text and two pages of pictures (include one picture of the person you interviewed) of their flower garden if the individual is still gardening. Protect with a clear report cover. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.
HOUSEPLANTS (Classes 60-66):
Youth may enter a maximum of THREE (3) entries in classes 50-66 and 903-904 (houseplants), but each entry must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
Container Grown Houseplants: The choice of container and soil quality will be considered in judging. Each houseplant must be identified by listing the names on a card attached to the container. Identify each plant individually if more than one cultivar or variety. Houseplants should be grown in the display container for a minimum of six weeks. Plants grown as houseplants must be used. These two NebGuides include a listing of common houseplants:
NebGuide G2205 “Guide to Growing Houseplants” http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g2205/build/g2205.htm NebGuide G837 “Guide to Selecting Houseplants” http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g837/build/g837.htm
Containers of annual flowers or annual plants (petunias, geraniums, impatiens) will be disqualified and will not be judged.
Entries in Classes 60-66 and 903-904 must have been designed and planted by the 4-H member.
Any container plant, (flowering or foliage potted houseplants, dish gardens, fairy or miniature gardens, desert gardens, or terrariums) shall be in containers no larger than 12 inches (use inside opening measurement) in any dimension of length or width. No combination of pots may be used. All potted plants are to be in a one pot container. Any container grown plant in Classes 60-66 that does not follow these guidelines will be dropped one ribbon placing.
In classes 60-65 and 903-904, exhibitors must have and provide a saucer to catch drainage water. The 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the bottom or back of the container and saucer.
HOUSEPLANTS, CLASSES (Scoresheet SF107)
PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00
G770060 Flowering Potted Houseplant(s) that are blooming for exhibition. A container may have one or more houseplants in the container. Label with the name for each plant. Non-blooming plants will be disqualified.
G770061 Foliage Potted Houseplant one variety of tropical or cacti or succulent plant. Label with name of plant.
G770062 Hanging Basket of flowering and/or foliage houseplants. A container may have one or more houseplants in the container. Label with the name for each plant.
G770063 Dish Garden - an open/shallow container featuring a variety of houseplants excluding cacti and succulents. Label with the name for each plant.
G770064 Fairy or Miniature Garden – A miniature “scene” contained in an open container and featuring miniature or small, slow growing houseplants (cacti are acceptable). The garden needs to have an imaginative theme and miniature accessories, i.e., bench, fence made from tiny twigs, small shell for a bathtub, etc. Label with the name for each plant.
**G770903 County Only Fairy Garden – A Fairy Garden that is NOT eligible for State Fair. Label with the name for each plant.
G770065 Desert Garden - an open/shallow container featuring cacti and/or succulents grown as houseplants. Label with the name for each plant.
G770066 Terrarium - a transparent container, partially or completely enclosed; sealed or unsealed. Label with the name for each plant.
**G770904 County Only Plant – Label with the name for each plant.