The 2012 Flower Show Open Class will take place at this year’s Porter County Fair.

Open Classes flower exhibits are for all amateur flower growers and designers 18 years and older (You are NOT an amateur if you earn $1,000 or more in a horticulture related industry per year). Participants must be residents of Porter County to enter.

Exhibitors should pick up entry tags at the Fair Office prior to the fair which starts July 19. Variety/cultivator names are required on the entry tag. Entries without proper identification will not be judged.

All horticulture specimens must be fresh plant material grown by the exhibitor. All entries shall be placed in a clear vase of water, not soil. Containers will be provided, but exhibitors may provide their own. Cut specimens should not have any foliage below the water line. Fresh plant material may not be treated in any manner and must be washed with water only.

Trees, shrubs, and perennials must be grown on your own property for at least one year.

All entries will be accepted at the exhibit area located in the Expo East building.

Exhibitors may enter as many classes as desired, but only one entry per class or sub class. Exhibitors from the same family and/or using the same garden may exhibit in the same class but cannot enter specimens from the same plant.

There will be 10 sections this year for judging – two sections for Division I Design and eight sections for Division II Horticulture. Classes are exhibited on different days. This is done because of space restrictions and to allow for fresh and new exhibits for the duration of the fair.

A complete list of classes and rules is on the Fair’s website. Go to www.portercofair.org and click on Open Class.

For classes in Sections A and B Design Division (Miniature Design and Standard Design), entries will be received between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 19.

Designs must be created by the exhibitor. No artificial plant material of any kind is permitted. Fresh plant material can be clipped, stripped or bent but cannot be dyed or treated by an application of any substance.

Accessories are permitted in the Design division.

For classes in Sections C,D,E,F of the Horticulture Division -- Bulbs, Tubers, and Rhizomes (2 sections); Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes; and Roses -- entries will be received between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 19.

Entries in Sections A-F will be released between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday July 22.

For classes in Sections G and H of the Horticulture Division -- Shrubs and Trees (one stem); and Perennials (one flowering stem with foliage) -- entries will be received between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday, July 23.

Entries in Sections G and H will be released between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25.

For classes in sections I and J of the Horticulture Division -- Herbs (three separate stems, deflowered); and Annuals (one flowering stem with foliage) -- entries will be received between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 26.

Entries in Sections I and J will be released between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 28.

The Superintendent reserves the right to remove all entries not claimed during the designated release time.

In judging for Horticulture exhibits, the point scale includes cultural perfection (50 points), condition and grooming (20 points), distinction (10 points), and a completely filled out entry tag (20 points).

Roses are judged on a point scale that includes form (25 points), color (20 points), substance (15 points), stem and foliage (20 points), balance and proportion (10 points), and size (10 points).

In judging for Design, the point scale includes design (40 points), conformance (20 points), artistic concept (20 points) expression (10 points), and distinction (10 points).

Premiums for Design and Horticulture are $5 plus sticker for 1st Place, $4 plus sticker for 2nd Place, $3 plus sticker for 3rd Place. Honorable mentions do not include premiums.

No ribbons will be awarded unless the entry is worthy, even if it is the only entry in the class.

The Porter County Fairgrounds are located at 215 Division Road (on the northeast corner of Ind. 49). The Fair runs July 19-28.