This month’s meeting is Monday, April 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park. Our format this month will be a little different. Instead of a featured speaker we will have several stations manned by our experienced, prize-winning rose exhibitors. Each of these expert rosarians will demonstrate the best practices in staging (preparing) rose blooms for exhibition in a show. This will be very timely in that our SDRS rose show will be coming up at the end of April. It is rare to have all of the best exhibitors in one room sharing their secrets of how to win at a rose show.

After the experienced exhibitors demonstrate the methods of staging different types and varieties of roses the attendees will then have a chance to stage roses which they have brought from home, under the guidance of the instruc- tors, harvesting all of their best advice. After that all of the roses will be placed on tables labeled with show classes simi- lar to our Little Rose Show. Information on the responsibilities of the show clerks will also be shared. Then our own Linda Clark will demonstrate how judging is performed and prizes are awarded. It is a tremendous opportunity for new exhibitors!

So why do people exhibit roses in a rose show? There are many reasons. But one of the most profound that I ever heard was from our own Bob Martin. He said that if you can enter a high quality rose specimen in a rose show and it is good enough to win prizes, then your practices of growing that rose in your garden are sound. Healthy roses love to produce beautiful roses and they invite the grower to show them off at a show. Another reason for exhibiting roses, as in any competition, is the ‘thrill of the win’. Cash prizes, ribbons and certificates are evidence that all of your hard work in fostering a rose has paid off. Participating in a rose show also shows our support of our rose society and it is an oppor- tunity to learn more about roses and to share the knowledge you have with others, including the public. Over all....it is a win-win opportunity!

So bring your most beautiful and healthy rose stems in a water container and learn how to enter into the ex- citing world of rose shows. Even if your specimens are not top quality, you will still learn the methods which are con- sistent from rose to rose and have a chance to practice. Properties will be available along with an explanation of how to enter different classes. This is a good opportunity to participate in a show that is not intimidating but just great fun!

Here is the schedule of events:

7:00 p.m.—Meeting begins
7:15 p.m.—Rose preparation and instructions for this Little Rose Show including entry tag preparations and

discussion of various entry classes available
8:00 p.m.—Instruction on placement and clerking information
8:30 p.m.—Judging of Little Rose show and explanation of procedures to be followed after judging 9:30 p.m.—Wrap up

Our first Little Rose Show of the year is at this month’s meeting! We have a special event this month to show you how to prepare your blooms for exhibiting at rose shows so bring your finest rose blooms and arrangements to the meeting. For roses, let the leaves stay on, bring them in a water container and bring some pruners. Vases, floral foam for stabilizing, tags and rubber bands will be provided.

There are prizes to be won!

Directions to Casa del Prado, Room 101: The Casa del Prado building is immediately west of the Natural History Museum. Entrances to the Casa del Prado lead to an inner court. The rooms are accessible from the court. Room 101 is downstairs on the east end of the court.