 All current amateur-status members of the Henry Shaw Cactus Society are eligible to enter the annual HSCS Show and Sale. The Junior Division is open to members who are 16 years old and younger. Children and grandchildren of members are also welcome to enter the Junior Division. Show entries must be received by August 1. There is no charge to enter the show. Click link above for forms and a listing of show classes.
Except for the Decorative section, all plants must have been in exhibitors' possession at least six months. All plants except those in the Decorative, Bonsai and Habitat Staging sections must be identified with their botanical names and staged in pots with top dressing. Plants in "Groups of" classes must be identified and staged similarly. Plants may be supported by trellises when necessary.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
1. Review the rules and guidelines in the Schedule of Classes (available soon) and determine the most appropriate classes for your plants. The show includes categories for specimen and decorative plants, as well as plant groupings, allied interests, and educational displays. Pot size and plant age are additional considerations for some entries.
Many specimen classes are organized by plant tribe or subfamily. Check the plant classification files provided above to cross reference your cacti and succulents to confirm the correct entry categories.
For example, if you want to enter a mature Gymnocalycium denudatum, a quick look at the alphabetized Cactus Classification -- By Genus file indicates the plant belongs to the Trichocereeae tribe. A scan through the Class Schedule then places the globe-shaped plant in class Specimen Globular Trichocereeae. Record this class number on your entry form, as described below.
2. Complete a Show Entry Form (available soon). Return a copy in person at HSCS meetings or by mail to Janet Kister (5121 Ashrock Dr., St. Louis, MO 63129) by August 1. The information from entry forms is used to allocate display space.
To enter by e-mail, send a text message to hscstres@hscactus.org that includes your name, telephone number, e-mail address and which classes you will enter. If you have two entries in a class, note the class twice. Also note if your plants are large. If they have only a few entries, members can also enter by phone at 314-894-3779. Entry numbers will be assigned at the August 1 HSCS meeting.
3. Pick up enough Entry Cards to provide one card for each plant or plant grouping entry. The cards, which identify exhibitors and provide space for judging comments, are available at HSCS meetings. Place the completed cards (including plant identification) next to your individual plants as you stage them on the show tables before the event.
4. Prepare your plants for public viewing. As the show approaches, remove cobwebs and dead or dying tissue from plants, and be sure they have no bugs or other pests that could affect other entries. Replace broken or unsightly pots. Apply appropriate top dressing. Remember that each entry reflects on both the Henry Shaw Cactus Society and Missouri Botanical Garden.
5. Plan to stage your plants only during the designated setup periods (to be announced). Remember, only one vehicle at a time may park at the back door of the exhibition hall for loading or unloading. Do not park in Dr. Raven's space or the bus parking areas. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on garden grounds.
Locate the display areas for your entry categories and place your plants along with their completed entry cards in the designated spaces on the display tables. Remove plant labels and place them under your entries or store them elsewhere. Due to space and time limitations, do not plan to do extensive cleaning or "touch-ups" as you stage your plants.
6. Avoid the judging period, 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on August 7, to allow the judges and their assistants to efficiently do their jobs and post results. All members are welcome to attend the show dedication at 11:30 a.m. and the official opening of the HSCS Show and Sale at noon. Enjoy fellow members' plants throughout the show and pick up a few choice selections from the vendor tables.
7. At the end of the show on August 15, remove your plants from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Again, please remember that only one vehicle at a time may park at the back door of the exhibition hall for loading.
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