OSU hosts national floral crop quality evaluation and design competition

Oklahoma State University hosted the event which is sponsored by Pi Alpha Xi, the National Honor Society for Horticulture, and the American Floral Endowment, the only industry wide organization completely dedicated to funding research and educational programs for floriculture and environmental horticulture.

 Participating schools included OSU, California Polytechnic State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, The Pennsylvania State University, New Mexico State University, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin – Platteville and University of Wisconsin – River Falls.

“The purpose of this competition is to provide students with a venue in which they can demonstrate their ability to identify quality of potted plants and cut flowers, as well as to learn more about production and utilization,” said Doug Needham, OSU floriculture professor. “When the students judge in the various categories they need to look at symmetry, proportion, uniformity and floriferousness, as well as several other criteria such as proper facing, spacing and progression of the floral display. The competition definitely challenges the students’ higher order thinking skills of analysis and evaluation.”

 Competing in contests such as this one, Needham said students hone their skills of assessment in order to make wiser choices of plants to use in landscapes, interiorscapes and floral designs.

Not only did students get to sharpen their judging skills during this event, they also were able to demonstrate their design skills. The categories for the design competitions included round centerpiece, one-sided asymmetrical triangle, bridal bouquet and double-tiered wedding table centerpiece.

 Awards for team and individual judging were presented at the awards banquet. California Polytechnic State University took first place in the team competition. The University of Wisconsin – River Falls, placed second and OSU placed third.

 Students receiving awards for judging at the banquet included Hilary Hirzel, Cal Poly, first place overall judge and first place judge of cut flowers; Cassie Rogers, OSU, second place judge overall, and tied for first place judge of potted plants; Bridget Zurcher, UW – Platteville, third place judge overall, and tied for first place judge of potted plants; Ryan Bolduan, Cal Poly, second place judge of cut flowers; Melissa Penovich, UIUC, third place judge of cut flowers; Danielle Huper, UW – River Falls, second place judge of potted plants; and Brandon Lowry, UW – River Falls, third place judge of potted plants.

The floral design competition included both professional and non-professional divisions, and the designs were judged by Mary Baker, House of Flowers, Stillwater; Jim Burtschi, Colonial Florist, Stillwater; and Dan Long, AIFD, Uptown Florist, Enid. In the non-professional division, students receiving awards for their round centerpieces included Kelsi Cureton, NMSU, first place; Karlee Curatola, Penn State, second place; and Lena Ruesch, UW – River Falls, third place; and students receiving awards for their asymmetrical triangle arrangements included Megan Hilt, OSU, first place; Bridget Zurcher, UW – Platteville, second place; and Melissa Penovich, UIUC, third place. In the professional division, students receiving awards for their bridal bouquets included Michaela Molter, UW – River Falls, first place; Krystle Peelen, SDSU, second place; and Ellen Weatherholt, OSU, third place; and students receiving awards for their double-tiered wedding table centerpiece included Joshua Morris, OSU, first place; Sara Barnhart, UIUC, second place; and Megan Chilson, SDSU, third place.

In addition to the competition itself, students also had the opportunity to make industry contacts and learn more about internships and career opportunities. Participants took part in several tours, including Bear Creek Farms, a specialty cut flower farm in Stillwater owned and operated by Vicki Stamback; the OSU Botanical Garden; The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory in Oklahoma City; the Teleflora Education Center in Oklahoma City; and the Oklahoma City National Bombing Memorial.

 “The tour of the Crystal Bridge presented a unique opportunity, as much of the interior is currently under reconstruction,” Needham said. “The students were able to get a first-hand look at what it takes to maintain all of the plants throughout the construction process. One of the main topics of interest at the Bombing Memorial was the “Survivor Tree” and how it was cared for, protected and incorporated into the design of the memorial site.”

 To gain a better understanding of the artistic side of floral design, Marie Ackerman, vice president of education at the Teleflora Education center, shared her expertise with the group regarding trends in floral design, including trends in colors, new arrangement styles and unusual containers.

“Overall this was a great competition with high quality plant material that challenged the evaluative and design abilities of the students,” Needham said. “We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition at University of Wisconsin — Platteville.”

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
Oklahoma State University
136 Printing Services Building
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu