Preparation of Hosta Leaves for an AHS Show

1.  Knowing which Leaves to Select
First of all, study the show schedule and the AHS Point Scales for Judging.  The Point Scales provide the attributes that the judges will be using to evaluate a leaf or any other exhibit.  By being familiar with the Point Scales, the exhibitor is better prepared to select exhibits that will score well in the Show.  The schedule will provide specific rules that may apply to any given division, (i.e. in some Sections of Division I, Cut Leaf, only one leaf is required for exhibiting… in other Sections of Division I, two leaves must, or specific dimensions may exist for certain entries.)  If a leaf or other exhibit does not meet the requirements of the division, or if the exhibit has significant flaws based on the point scale attributes, then it is best not to select that particular specimen.  

2.  Cutting and Grooming Entries
All cutleaf specimens should be cut in early morning or late afternoon.  (Water the plants the day before)…  Evaluate the leaves as best as can be done prior to cutting and select the most outstanding leaf.  Leaves may be selected several days prior to the  Show.  The petiole should be cut as long as possible.  Clippers or a sharp knife should be used to cut the petiole on a slant.  This helps for rapid moisture intake.  After cutting, hold the leaf up to the light to further inspect for major holes, damage or other large flaws that may have been missed prior to cutting.  If significant flaws are found, select another leaf. 

Cut specimens should be placed in cool water in a dark, cool, draft-free place for several hours or overnight. 

Specimen cleanliness is the first attribute that a judge notices.  Take care to properly clean leaves on all exhibits prior to the  Show.  An entry should not have dirt or other debris, insects, or spider webs anywhere on the leaf surface or petiole.  Pay particular attention to the point where the leaf meets the petiole where trash often becomes lodged.  Carefully wash the leaf in water but do not scrub.  A very mild detergent solution may be used to help dislodge dirt from the leaf surface.  If detergent is used, be sure to rinse the leaf after washing to remove detergent residue.  Use cotton balls for light washing and  Q-tips or tiny soft brushes to clean the valleys and creases.  Be very careful not to damage the delicate blue coat (waxy substance) or bloom (white powdery substance on backs of certain hostas) when cleaning blue leaves and others with these attributes.  (Also be careful when handling the petiole so that finger prints will not remove the wax.) 

After the leaves dry, inspect them once more.  Any remaining dirt may be removed with a Q-tip or soft brush. 

Place leaves in water or wrap in damp paper towels if traveling. 

3.  Entering Specimens
The Exhibitor should arrive in ample time to stage his entries.  He should bring all needed supplies and should not rely on borrowing from other exhibitors.  (The Show Committee will provide vases, water, entry tags, and rubber bands for attaching the entry tags to the vases.)  Bring extra plant material in case of damage in transit.  Upon arrival at the preparation area, the exhibitor should immediately sign the EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION FORM  and secure an EXHIBITOR NUMBER. 

Each leaf should be placed in an appropriate sized container.   Take time to stage the leaf in the container for best presentation.  (i.e. there is balance between the leaf and the size of the container.)  This includes selection of the best petiole length and the best leaf angle.  Cotton may be used to pose the leaf and keep it from flopping around in the container. 

Prepare the ENTRY TAG and attach with a rubber band to the container.  For cut leaves, fill the container to the top with water.  Place the leaf/leaves) in the container.  Secure the leaf/leaves in the container with WET cotton balls, secured in the container with a Q-tip.  For presentation, pull the leaf up as far as possible to have as much petiole as possible showing outside of the container, but yet having enough of the petiole remaining in the water to ensure the leaf will receive water during the Show.  If the water is below the end of the petiole, the leaf may droop during the Show. 

ENTRY TAG should be neatly written and complete.  An example of how Hybrids are written is: H. ‘Gold Standard’ and species are written:  H. plantaginea.    The neatness and accuracy of  the entry tag may be the difference in your entry  winning a top ribbon over another entry.  Both the top portion and the bottom stub must contain all the necessary information, including the exhibitor number exhibitor name, and the name of the cultivar.  DO NOT fold the bottom stub prior to placing the entry on the classification table.  The Classification Committee members will fold the tag after all entry tag information has been checked. 

One of the most often seen errors on entry tags is the improper selection of Division, Section and Class information.  To prevent this error, first study the Show schedule carefully and then verify the entry’s registration in the AHS Show Classification List at  http://www.hosta.org/.  The list provides the Show classification data, including the proper section and color class for registered cultivars.  If in doubt, don’t guess.  Ask for help.  If a named hosta is not listed in the Classification List, it is most likely not a registered cultivar and must be exhibited in Division I - Section XII Unregistered Named Cultivars.

After preparing and entering leaves, please clean up the preparation area and remove any personal items and trash so that the area will be ready for use by other exhibitors.