Knowing that my plants are honestly about two weeks from their prime yet, I’ve employed a few desperate, last minute measures to try to push them along. I’ve increased my light days slowly over the past 10 or so weeks, but now I’m desperate. I don’t even know how long my light day is now, but I’ve been modifying that timer all week long, adding an extra half hour here, an hour there. And while I don’t really advocate it, I’ve heard of some growers leaving their lights on overnight right before a show. I probably won’t be going to that extreme, but I’m beginning to wonder if it would help.
But here I am, a few days before the show, my hopes for best collection or best anything are most assuredly dashed. But don’t feel bad for me – this kind of thing happens to every show grower at some point. I just wanted to prove to the violet world that I could grow show-winning plants. And I can, just not on schedule this time! BOO! All I can say is, you – my dear, loyal blog readers, will be privy to all the fantastical photos of my show plants AFTER the show, when they are finally in their prime! It’ll be great; I just won’t win any awards for them! (And who doesn't want to win awards??)
In any case, I love the challenge of growing plants for show. Seeing the fruits of my labor and experience is a real thrill, a true addiction, even when the final beautiful product peaks AFTER the show. Every time I prep them for a show, I learn something new along the way, even if it's what NOT to do. Every little bit helps for my future growing.
I’ll be taking lots and lots of photos at the show so that all of you out there can get a taste of what it was like and what kind of competition I was up against. And anyone out there reading this who also plans on showing, good luck and I’ll see you there!