Florida State Flower Show

As many of you know, from April 14 till 17, 2026 the annual FFGC Convention took place in Kissimmee, FL. Every other year FFGC also organizes a Flower-show in connection with the Convention. This year’s Flower-show was held from April 14 till 16. The FFGC Flower-show attracts participants from all over Florida.

I love participating in Flower-shows and entered 13 plants and plant parts in Horticulture Division of the show. Entries are judged by certified judges and each plant can earn a maximum of 100 points. There are 8 aspects of the plant that earn between 5 and 20 points each. My entries earned 5 first prizes, 4 second prizes and 3 third prizes in a variety of categories. Of my second prizes 3 were rated at 90+ points. That means they were of high quality, but there was one in that category with more points and earning first prize. There were hundreds of plants competing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having plants and plant propagation as a hobby give me great joy. Earning the recognition of the quality of my plants in a contest, is the cherry on the cake.

I encourage all members of the garden club to participate in a Flower-show. It is fun and very rewarding. If the show in Kissimmee was too far to bring your entries before the show and requiring a second trip to pick your babies up after the show, why not try out the show next week in St Augustine by the local garden club, April 24-25?

Here is the link to all info around the show: St Augustine Flowershow

Download the Flowershow Schedule, that gives you all details about submitting your plants for entry. Deliver your plants on the day before the show, April 23. Judging is April 24, AM. The show starts PM.

If you are not ready to participate, be sure to visit the show and enjoy the plants. There will also be a Design division, displaying beautiful creations by the Arrangers.

Article and photos by Marínus Grootenboer

P.s.

Members of the Palm Coast Arrangers Guild might also consider to participate in St Augustine!!

 

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First Annual Palm Show & Sale

St Johns Botanical Garden is hosting the First Annual Palm Show & Sale. See poster:

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April is Tulip Month in The Netherlands

If you have ever seen the abundant colors of tulip fields and parks in The Netherlands, you never forget this sight. The tulip bulb is an important agriculture industry. I came across an interesting video on YouTube: Tulips, Tulips and more Tulips.

In the spring Cut Tulip flowers are sent all over the world to be sold in supermarkets and flower shops. During the summer the bulbs are harvested and again distributed all over the planet, for gardeners to plant in their garden and public parks.

Enjoy the video,

Marinus

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Two Master Gardener Sales

Looking to spruce up your garden after the freeze in Florida?

Here are two plant sales this weekend, where you can get expert advice from Master Gardeners:

1. St Johns County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns Countywill host its 2026 Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale on April 17–18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, located at 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine.

The sale will feature a wide selection of landscape plants, houseplants, and vegetable seedlings suited for Northeast Florida landscapes. Proceeds from the event directly support educational outreach and community programming provided through the St. Johns County Master Gardeners Program.

 

2. Putnam County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

The Putnam Count Master Gardeners Plant Sale returns on April 18 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.  Fairgrounds Rd, East Palatka, FL, USA. This annual community event offers many healthy plants, friendly volunteers, and simple gardening guidance. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own carts to make shopping easier. As a result, visitors can move through the sale with comfort and ease.

Marinus, webmaster

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EFG Orchids’ Anniversary Sale

George from EFG Orchids is the speaker at our Club meeting on April 13th, 2026!!

EFG Orchids’ month-long Anniversary sale begins on April 1st!
Join us in celebrating our 87th Year as a family-owned small business.

The Celtic Cistin Irish Eatery will be at the greenhouse on the following days:
April 4th & April 11th-12th.
Serving Delicious Meals
11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M

The following plants will be on sale the entire Month of April,
during our regular hours:

– 25% OFF Monsteras, Phalaenopsis, Vanilla, & Jewel Orchids.

– 35% OFF Philodendron, Hoyas, Anthurium, Solanum Uleanum, & Piper Crocatum.

Complimentary refreshments every weekend of April.

Free Month-Long Raffles for a $100 Gift card; 20 Winners will be called after the sale ends! (One raffle ticket per person per day)

We will also be releasing our newest Hybrid on April 1st!
Philodendron ‘Elven Magic’ is a cross between
Philodendron Majesty & Philodendron Jose  Buono.
The 3″ pot size will be on sale for only $6.50,
and the 4″ size will be on sale for $16.25.

Check out our Facebook Page to see what they look like!

https://www.facebook.com/efgorchidsdeland

Thank you so much for visiting our greenhouse.

We are open Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

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