Penang Floral Fest 2009

[bactrus]

This is a preliminary announcement. Was talking to Eric aka Monkeycup, he told me that the 2009 Penang Floral Fest be held at the Botanical Gardens from 30th May till 7th June 2009. Think more information to follow.

Start preparing your plants now.

[caseyhoo]

huh... Another CP competition? What I need to prepare is, $$$$!!!

[bactrus]

Casey,

Allow me to explain why the competition is held so close to the previous one (just 6 months). Last weekend of May is the usual time when this Penang International Floral Fest is held. (I don't know about international nowadays but I am happy with just Floral Fest). This last Fest was held in November because the New state government was too new to get the momentum of things (Disclaimer: I suppose). Therefore the fest has delayed a few months till November 2008.

Yes, we require people to enter the competition, especially the cp section. That cost money. Without saying much, David coming from KL spend some good $$$ during that weekend! You're right Casey, cos money to prepare the plants for competition. However, one thing good about CPs is they need just a little more "tender loving care" to get them into a good condition. Don't think need lots of $$$ to make them look good unless you're thinking of entering terrarium or community plant category- thinking of proposing.

The most expensive part is to transport the plants from another state and back to the respective owners after the event. David, myself and I don't know who else, were thinking of chartering a van/lorry/bus etc to bring the plants from you KL/Ipoh folks and bring it back to you. Simple mathematics, more participants cheaper the cost per plant.

Regarding care of plants. Last year the organisers promised guards, proper watering (misting or sort) and proper location for the exhibit/competition. Well, everything except the first two items were fulfilled (2 of three)! To rectify the shortcomings I say, the Penang members led my Piscisilim has shown enough commitment by taking turn Rukun Tetangga-ing (community watch) the plants! Lim himself actually stayed so many days (9 to five) till he got sick! That's leadership by example, a brave show of responsibility. We will endeavour to rectify the shortcomings and we don't see it as a impossible to solve problem.

Reason why I am urging/encouraging/hammering members to participate is simple. Sum up in six alphabets P-O-I-S-O-N!!!

Now, please jump yet. I am just informing members that is all. Hope this year's be more successful than last year. Last year we had 200 submission. About 30% came from our forum. Come one members, we can do better. Just look at Adam's (strath76) thread on VCPS annual exhibition. It was a Wow! Successful event. Hope we can emulate and better the VCPS..... one day.

[caseyhoo]

Misunderstand!!!

Im feel excited with the competition!!! hehe... After previous competition. I had told my wife that I plan go to the next competition event. So, If nothing going wrong, I will be there.

What I means by $$$ is, keep $$$ to buy new plant from there...

Thanx for the hardwork... Im really appreciate it...

Cheers...

[paphioboy]

Oh, no... Its gonna be in June again..? then I won't be able to attend..

[kentosaurs]

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOING TO UK TO VISIT SIS THAT TIME ( i think ) Anyways its probally not even a holiday for me haizzz..........Another year gone.....I checked out the floral fest web a couple of months back for 2009 and already knew couldn't attend lol....What a waste.....

Ken

[David]

By the way, I've already received Ch'ien Lee's reply on the judging and criteria of a CP competition. He also gave us some pointers as to where we can go to refer to other plant compatition guidelines so that we can incorporate the guidelines and terms into our competition.

I'll do a little research and try to come up with something. Then I'll email Ch'ien Lee and also Dr. Charles Clark to get their further advise. Perhaps I'll try to check with other societies/forums/CPers overseas who has done a competition before to get their advise on this.

Here's part of Ch'ien's email to me:

... I think that the general criteria for plant judging should be well known not just by the judges but also by people who are intending to submit plants to the competition. This will give them a better idea of what to prepare for and will result in less "surprises" as to the outcome of the competition.

Here are some basic suggestions:

- how well grown the plant is
- groomed, disease free
- taking into account difficulty of individual species
- evidence of infections & pests
- presentation
- choice of pot, soil, presence of weeds
- how clean the plant is, chemical residue on leaves, etc.
- general structure & layout of plant
- variety
- rarity of species, quality of color form
- size of pitcher in relation to size of the leaf
- size, vigour of plant
- also how long it has been grown

You might also want to take a look at official judging criteria from
organizations like the American Orchid Society (AOS), etc.

Of course it should be well stated that plants showing evidence of having
been wild collected will be disqualified from the competition. Also
probably a good idea that it is required for a grower to have kept a plant
for at least 6 months before submitting it for the competition (otherwise
they might submit plants that have been recently purchased).

Let me know what you think of these suggestions and perhaps with input from others we can come up with a well-written guideline manual... end

[NepNut]

Very good points, IMHO by setting a general criteria will certainly raise the quality and standard of plants being submitted for the CP competition.

Look at what others are doing for bonsai and orchid show/competition... then you can see why bonsai and orchid can gain acceptance and get mainstream.

[David]

Dear members,

We have started to gather resources and members to help organise the 2nd Malaysian CP competition this year. Please join us in the Social Group created for this if you are interested to help out. We need all the help we can get.

Thanks.

[plantlover]

Penang is so far away from Batu Pahat. If its not too far I can go but.......why is it so far.