Attendees view the flowers in last year’s Outstanding Varieties Competition. The deadline to enter this year’s contest is August 17.
One can’t-miss highlight of SAF Orlando 2022 is the Outstanding Varieties Competition — an awe-inspiring collection of the finest flowers, plants and foliages, which a panel of judges scrutinize to determine the Best in Show. Held during the Society of American Florists’ annual convention in Orlando, Florida Sept. 6-8, the competition is an opportunity for attendees to browse and discover new favorites, suppliers and buyers to talk, and for breeders and growers to earn praise for their products and their company.
“It’s my favorite part of the convention,” says Lani Callister, AAF, of Ensign Wholesale Floral in Salt Lake City, who has judged the competition multiple times. “That’s probably because I’m our fresh flower manager, and I buy flowers all day, every day. I’m interested in seeing outstanding products and that’s exactly what this competition is all about.”
Judges — consisting of three growers, three wholesalers, and three retailers — evaluate categories of flowers, looking at qualities such as color and commercial appeal; bloom appearance, form and consistency; stem strength; foliage health; and marketability. “We don’t compare flowers to what’s sitting next to them,” Callister says. “Each entry is judged on its own merit.” After tallying the scores, Best in Class winners are named. Then, judges consult with each other to decide which is the most outstanding. “It’s not usually a hard decision,” Callister says, adding that sometimes she can spot the winner when she walks into the room because it stands out.
Callister frequently hears from customers who attended convention and saw flowers in person — or read the subsequent Floral Management coverage — who ask if she can source some of the winning varieties.
That reaction is one reason Golden Flowers, a Miami-based importer and distributor representing more than 50 farms, is a regular participant. “Our participation and positive results in the Outstanding Varieties Competition has brought us increased visibility and recognition for bringing new and improved varieties to the market,” says Jody Whitekus, Golden Flowers’ technical manager.
Additionally, he enjoys chatting with wholesalers, retailers, and designers while looking directly at the varieties. “We ask them a lot of questions about which colors, textures and items are popular in their markets, and we really appreciate their feedback on the specific varieties in competition.”
Tyler Meskers, vice president of Oregon Flowers in Aurora, Oregon, starts prepping for the competition in early June, when he plants bulbs to be harvested in September.
“Putting caution tape around the area in the greenhouse creates an extra buzz around our business, showing our family and employees to be extra careful with these contenders,” he says. “Picking the right harvest date and carefully packing them into boxes hours before taking them on the plane is all part of the experience. It is fun and super exciting to compete, something we’ll try and do every year!”
Oregon Flowers selects which varieties it will enter approximately one year in advance. “We begin by looking at the bulb growers’ production, specifically the treatment the bulbs have undergone in Holland,” Meskers says, adding that he pays special attention to stem strength, bloom size, bloom color, and flower presentation. “Years ago, we would walk through the greenhouse and pick the very best three or four varieties,” he says. “Now, we are planting specifically for the convention and then a few months after, as sales for winners typically increase after the competition.”
Like Whitekus, Meskers says the greatest gain from competing in Outstanding Varieties is recognition. “Recognition for our business, of course, but also for lilies,” he says. “We like to grow and sell quality lilies. This event helps us show the industry how beautiful lilies can be!”
The deadline to enter is August 17. To browse pictures from last year’s competition, click here.
Katie Vincent is a senior contributing editor for the Society of American Florists.
