Don spoke about the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria and the Great Victorian Basket Competition, which is their main event at the Melbourne International Flower & garden Show (MIFGS) in March 2016. The competition is the largest in the world and encourages participation by RSHV groups, members, schools, community groups and industry partners.
Don explained that a hanging container is a very broad term. It can be wire, plastic or a log of wood but must use a wire. A good hanging basket is an expression of what you want to achieve and your choice of the type of plants to be used. Plants need to be balanced and do not necessarily be cascading over the edge. Also, considerations need to be given to style material, plant types, colour, location, light temperature and growing media.
Photos of hanging baskets and the types of plants used, ranging from bonsai, flowering plants, different coloured foliage, herb, succulents and Australian native plants were shown which certainly inspired us and how easy it can be with imagination to have a go at a hanging basket.
Jennifer spoke about the display area for the Hanging Basket at MIFGS which is set up and staffed with the support of volunteers. Jennifer added that this year there will be over 400 baskets on display which need to be bagged individually each night and un-bagged each morning else the possums would have a feast.
At the conclusion of their talk 17 people had volunteered to assist at the RHSV Hanging Basket area at MIFGS from 16th March – 20 March 2016.
