AGS Southport Show : Lancashire : 16th May 2009

[Lesley Cox]

So, VV, what does RR think about it? Is he in favour? Whatever the decision is (and I agree that trimming in these circs should be acceptable), it surely should be a consistent policy among judges. Likewise, I'm always in favour of leaving spent flowers, especially on rare or difficult species, where there is a realistic chance of there being seed formed.

[ChrisB]

Hi Lesley,  I just found your post, hope you had a lovely lunch and garden visit with my friend.  I'm sure she will be full of it when she gets back.  She's such an enthusiast.

[Lesley Cox]

Chris, we had a very nice lunch - with Pinot Noir - and talked solid for 3 hours. Jenny is a delightful person. Together we could easily set the world to rights. I hope she's found something indoors to do today. It's bitterly cold with snow and hail showers, really nasty.

[veteran vet]

Lesley, RR is an advocate of the technique and practices himself. At the AGS shows there is general acceptance of the practice and having tried it at home I have to admit it does exhibit the plant better. At judging time we consider the whole potfull and if the tidying up is done poorly then that will lead to downpointing, in the main exhibitors are skilled in the art of presentation and so most people will not be aware that leaves are missing

[ChrisB]

Glad it all went off nicely then.  Three hours for lunch, I think that does qualify you for the 'Ladies who Lunch' Award!  sounds like you are having some horrid weather though brrrrrr

[Lesley Cox]

Thank you VV (George?) that's good to know and when something of mine is trimmed and down-graded on account of it, I'll let the relevant judges know that AGS etc are happy with that. 

Another even colder day today. We had snow overnight and sleet and soft hail through this morning. Dogs won't go out and had to be pushed. Outside temp just on mid-day is 1 degC. Good fire on though, and all those lovely show pics from Aberdeen to cheer me.