Judging Flowers is No Bed of Roses

Date:  April 30, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- It takes critical thinking, an eye for details and polished evaluation skills to select high-quality cut flowers and potted plants. Four New Mexico State University students honed these skills and recently competed in the national floriculture judging and design competition.

"We've not had a team represent NMSU at this competition for several years," said Geno Picchioni, team coach and assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture. The contest, hosted in April by Oklahoma State University, drew teams from across the nation.

NMSU's team consisted of Angie Barber of Kirtland, Kathy Dixon of Laguna, Keeley Muncrief of Las Cruces, and Chris Romero of Santa Fe. Coach Picchioni was hired in December, so the team had only a few short months to practice.

A lot of work goes into preparation, Picchioni said. "The students learn to recognize quality flowers and plants by applying critical examination and decision-making skills. They also learn production techniques growers use to raise quality ornamental plants."

During the competition, the students evaluated nearly 50 selections of cut flowers and potted plants. Muncrief and Romero also participated in the floral design contest. Muncrief place third in the one-sided display class and Romero place eighth in the round/oval display class.

The students also toured the Oklahoma Botanic Garden and Arboretum, Oklahoma State University's horticulture department, the American Floral Services National Headquarters, the Crystal Bridge Conservatory and the Myriad Garden. They even attended a professional floral design workshop.

"Overall it was an excellent educational experience for the students," Picchioni said.

In addition to coaching the floriculture team, Picchioni teaches classes in plant nutrition and propagation. He hopes to strengthen NMSU's floriculture judging and design program and begin more research on ornamental plants' nutritional needs.