RETARDING BLOOMS 



WHEN a grower decides to compete or exhibit at 

 shows, it is well to examine the schedules of such at an 

 early period. By doing this he will be able to marshal 

 his forces, as it were, by retarding or pushing on his 

 blooms, as circumstances may demand. Blooms may be 

 retarded fully a week or ten days in a cut state, that is 

 from the time they are fully expanded, by placing them 

 in water in a cool, dark shed, and with a fairly dry 

 atmosphere. The latter can be managed by allowing 

 a gentle current of air to pass through the building by 

 opening window or skylight. A disused stable, facing 

 north, answers the purpose well, or even a mushroom 

 shed or portion of fruit room if it can be given up for the 

 purpose. No dust should be allowed to settle at any time 

 on the petals, as it is often difficult to remove, and will 

 cause the blooms to wear a soiled, faded look. It is a 

 good plan, even better perhaps than the former method, 

 to retard blooms when expanding in the early stages by 

 placing them in cooler situations. This needs a good 

 deal of experience and judgment, and is only gained by 

 constant practice. All blooms that have been cut should 

 have the water changed every day, and it is a good plan 

 to cut a small portion off the stem at the same time, the 

 water being taken up better. The stem should always 

 be cut of sufficient length to allow of this paring later. 



PACKING BLOOMS 



Where blooms are to be exhibited on stands they 

 should all be arranged beforehand, each one in its 

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