Herald - Issue 416

Page 58 • The HERALD • 9th December 2021 v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 6TH JANUARY v WINTER SERVICING 1st November 21 to 31st January 22 10% DISCOUNT on labour with this advertisement when booking in | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | The World Flower Art Competition in China by Pip Bensley & Debbie Thorne, Foresters Flower Club With great anticipation (delayed due to the pandemic for 2 years!), Pip shared her exquisite experience of the World Flower Art Competition 2019 with us. is was at the Horticultural Exhibition in Beijing, the Capital of China. Pip was our UK judge. Pip ew from judging in the North East, to London, and connected with a ight across the world in an Easterly direction to Beijing. e exhibition is massive: 100 times the size of Chelsea. It attracts 9 million visitors from 100 di erent countries. One of these events occurs annually each year and is held in a di erent country. In the oral section one can nd head judges from around the globe, e.g. Elly Lin from Taiwan, Deborah De la Flor from USA, Bart Hassam- World Champion 2019 for gardening and oral art. ere were 30 competitors from di erent countries, and the UK representative was a Chelsea rst prize winner. e day before the competition competitors could assemble their mechanics (structure) and 1 kind of plant material, with the help of an assistant. 4am the day before they could travel to choose their owers. at evening the judges were entertained with a stage show and traditional Chinese food dishes. Judges had 1½ hours to judge the 30 exhibits, 12 categories in each. Quite a task requiring quick thinking and good organisational skills. e second half of the show involved ‘Surprise packages’/‘Imposed Designs’. ese were boxes of owers that contestants hadn’t seen before. Round 1 was a Hand Tied bouquet; Round 2 was basic mechanics and to incorporate a traditional Chinese vase and in the theme of a Chinese wedding poem; Round 3 involved using bamboo canes and ironwork, drills and tools, alongside the owers. Judges observe contestants working, designs evolving and mark as the art takes form. Contestants have 1½ hours from start to nish. 40% of the marks are from the rst half, using an assistant. 60% were from the ‘Imposed’ 3 rounds. e prize giving was rich with Chinese culture and the overall winner was Mark Pampling from Australia. e last spare day was spent by the judges exploring Beijing City Centre: New and Old (13th century city). en a relaxed wrap up meeting and the tedious journey home with plenty of fantastic memories to keep Pip company! With no meeting in January we wish all readers a very happy, healthy Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Next meeting: a return visit from Carole Norman, Thursday 3rd February , 7.30pm Copythorne Parish Hall. For all enquiries call Debbie orne on: 07769 830752. The World Flower Art Competition in Beijing went swimmingly! Gardening in December - Winter Frost Advice from RHS Top gardening jobs this month 1. Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place. 2. Check that greenhouse heaters are working. 3 Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing. If your pond is stocked with sh and it does freeze over, melt the ice by placing a hot pan on the surface, or install a pond heater or water feature to prevent freezing occurring. 4. Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls). 5. Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding. 6. Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops. 7. Trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted 8. Take hardwood cuttings. 9. Keep mice away from stored produce. 10. Reduce watering of houseplants.