[Pompey Spud]

Do you leave any stalks on on take it all off?

[Ice]

The ones I saw on sunday had the calyx still attached, nothing else.

[Pompey Spud]

Just found the answer to my question. Hehe

Leave the calyces on. Thats the green bit to you and me.

[Pompey Spud]

He he...thanks Ice

[wighty]

If you want some ideas for how to show veg may I make a suggestion, try www.thechaleshowhow.co.uk or  chaleshowentries@hotmail.co.uk.  It's the Island's biggest amateur garden competition (over 1,400 entries this year)  and I spent two hours in their tent looking at all the entries.

[philskin]

is the address right wighty I cant find server message etc. comes up ty

[joyfull]

wonder if this link will work 
http://thechaleshow.co.uk/The%20Chale%20Show%202010/SCHEDULEANDCLASSINFO10.pdf

[joyfull]

That link gives the rules and the ones for fruit and veg can be found there on page 3 

[Spana]

Each show will have its own rules which may differ from the link above so its as well to check your show schedule.

For tomatoes our show asks for 6 toms with a leaf on a white plate

[Ice]

Yes, our local show had six toms with the calyx attached on white plates.  Anyone know the plural of calyx?

[wighty]

calyxi?  Or even Calyxii (if I remember my Latin right, long time since I had to do that!) Thanks Joy for correcting my link, I copied it out of their programme for the Show, so presumed it was correct.  They had mainland Judges so presumed their rules were pretty standard for veg shows.

[Mash Mad]

I heard the key to keeping the calyx stay green for longer is to feed them soot water,
it also, (along with a comfree and nettle feed)
gives them that pure deep red colour which looks stunning on the show bench.

A good way ive seen to present them, which ive nicked the idea is on a round plate or in my case, circular pice of cardboard coverd with black felt all neatly pulled tight around it.

Also you can cut small, not to small though, holes in the cardbord before putting the felt on. That way the toms will all stand up nicely and wont roll off onto the floor for sombody to step on, There's a example picture of mine at the bottom.


Id be gutted if that happend, after putting in all that hard work as well

The reason calyxes, except the one in the middle, are shrivelled because i had to pick the toms early when they were green to try and get them red for a show, but they did'nt ripe in
time        

[philskin]

wont be entering my toms in Saturdays show just lost the lot with blight ,so im down 2 categories

[joyfull]

Oh no how awful for you 

[philskin]

1st time its had my toms usually im so careful but its been such a funny year