2025 Summer Show Rules
Rules Governing GPFSO’s Show Competition on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Toronto Botanical Garden, Floral Hall:
- Hours:
9:30 – 10:55 a.m. – Staging of exhibits on show tables by Class.
11:00 a.m. – Judging takes place.
1:00 p.m. (or earlier if judging is complete) – doors will open to the public.
4:00 p.m. – Show ends. Exhibits, class entry cards, awards may be removed.
4:30 p.m. – Floral Hall must be cleared of all exhibits and personnel.
2. Who May Enter:
Classes of competition are open to all members of GPFSO in good standing.
Open classes are open to everyone.
3. Entries:
Exhibitors are to legibly complete their Entry Cards for each exhibit upon arrival at the show facility. Only one member name may be written per entry card (each entry, one name). Entry cards where no name is noted, may forfeit any awards. Entry cards shall be placed in front of each exhibit in the appropriate class. Exhibitors may enter up to three (3) entries per class in Sections A, B, C, D and F but they must be different (e.g. cultivars/ species). Only one (1) entry per class is allowed in Section E (floral design).
Exhibitors shall present to the Show Secretary an Exhibitor’s List of Entries of their exhibit entries, listed by class number and cultivar name; the list shall include the exhibitor’s name, address and telephone number.
4. Nomenclature:
All exhibits shall be legibly and correctly named. An error in naming will not disqualify the entry, but judges will regard correctness as favourable in a plant in close competition. If the variety name is unknown, the label and entry card shall state “Name Unknown.”
5. Ownership:
All plants in Sections A, B, C, D and F must be the property of the exhibitor for a minimum of three (3) months. This also applies to the plants from which flowers, pips (florets) and leaves are taken. Plant material from any source is permitted in Section E (floral design).
6. Containers:
In horticultural classes, specimens must be grown and shown in pots of one solid colour (e.g. green, terra cotta, clay, plastic, etc.) and may be of any shape. Jardiniers or other types of fancy containers will not be accepted except where specified in the show schedule. Where pot size is specified in the schedule, entries must comply with that size. Where no pot size is noted, the exhibitor may show in any size pot they wish.
Following are recommended maximum pot sizes:
a) mini and dwarf Pelargoniums – 4” / 10.16cm,
b) regular zonal Pelargoniums – 8” / 20.32cm
7. Pelargonium Plant Height Restrictions:
Miniatures: < 5” / 12.7cm high
Dwarves: > 5” / 12.7cm but < 8” / 20.32cm high
The measurement is made from the rim of the pot to the top of the foliage; the flowers of these plants can be above the foliage and the stated measurements (Faye Brawner, Geraniums the Complete Encyclopedia, Schiffer Publications, 2003).
Check catalogues and books to ensure the plant is classified as a miniature or a dwarf, and not a regular zonal Pelargonium that has been treated with growth retardant.
8. Grooming:
All entries shall be groomed prior to placement on the show table. Final grooming is to be kept to a minimum as space in the show room is limited. All pots are to be dry on the bottom, no water/ dirt is to drain onto the tables. Exhibitors’ own saucers may be placed under the pots.
Leaking containers or exhibits soiling the show table may be removed from competition at the discretion of the Show Chairperson or her/his delegate.
9. Disqualification:
The Show Chairperson or her/his delegate may disqualify an exhibit for evidence of pests or disease or if it is deemed an exhibit does not meet minimum standards for the competition schedule. Nomenclature errors are not a reason for disqualification.
10. Sub-dividing Classes:
At the discretion of the Show Chairperson and Judges, any class may be subdivided into two or more classes if there are sufficient entries to place at least three or more varieties into each of the new classes.
11. Placement of Entries:
All entries will be placed on the show table by the exhibitor in the appropriate class. The Show Committee may, at their discretion, move exhibits (except floral design) to sub-divide classes or to enhance the staging of the show. No floral design shall be moved once placed by the exhibitor (the Show Committee may request that the exhibitor move their exhibit to enhance the staging of the show; but the exhibitor may refuse if the design is not easily moved and would compromise the design).
12. Judging:
All persons, except the judges, clerks and officers of the GPFSO serving on the Show Committee must retire from the show room or auditorium while judging is in progress. Judging will be in accordance with the GPFSO Show Schedule and Rules, and the Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards for Floral Design and Horticulture 2019 (OJES) book. Judges will take into consideration the quality of the plants, blooms and foliage when making awards and will be at liberty to withhold any award if the exhibit is not considered worthy. The decision of the judge(s) is final.
13. Protests:
Any protest must be made in writing to the Show Chairperson within one hour of the show opening. Any such protest shall be considered by the Show Committee. The Show Committee may declare an exhibit disqualified if a protest is upheld. The ruling of the show committee in such matters shall be accepted as final.
14. Awards:
All awards are listed in the show schedule.
15. Show Points:
Only GPFSO members in good standing will receive show points towards applicable awards. Sections A, B, C, E and F are eligible for show points. Honorable mention awards are recognized but receive no show points. Show points are awarded as follows:
Sections A, B, C, and F: 1st place gets 7 pts.; 2nd place gets 5 pts; 3rd place gets 3 pts.
Section E: 1st place gets 10 pts; 2nd place gets 7 pts; 3rd place gets 5 pts.
16. Liability:
While all reasonable precautions will be taken, the GPFSO does not hold itself responsible for any loss or damage to exhibits before, during or after the show. All exhibits are displayed entirely at the risk of the exhibitor. Commercial exhibitors will be wholly responsible for any claim by their employees under the Employers Liability and Worker’s Compensation Act, Ontario, etc.
17. Other matters:
Any matter not provided for in these rules and regulations will be dealt with by the officers of the GPFSO and their decision must be accepted as final.