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GROWING FOR SHOWING by Rudy J. Favretti

GROWING FOR SHOWING

By

Publisher: Doubleday

While a number of books include fairly lengthy sections dealing with the fine points of ""growing for showing"", this is the most thorough coverage for the amateur grower that I have seen. Mr. Favretti and his wife are experienced judges, but they started at the other end-and his first ""showing"" was a greedy grab for all he could get at a 4-H show in childhood. He now writes from years of experience on the values in advance planning, on what you- as a gardener- learn from showing, and on how showing will have the end result of improving your garden. The part dealing with basic principles of soil, water, light, mulch is of basic concern to all gardeners, and consideration of these factors is vital in cultural perfection, condition and substance of material for showing. Then he goes on to certain aspects that are concerns of garden showmen; bending to light (phototropism); light duration- how to shorten or lengthen it; control of temperature; growing and training; selection of material forshowing. He discusses garden pasts and pest control. Next he goes into specifics on showing potted plants, garden flowers, vegetables and fruits, each against the basic requirements, and the specifies. A final section deals with grooming -- that is the picking, conditioning and transportation.