A Gesneriad show includes divisions for Horticulture, Artistic, and Arts and Crafts, as well as Educational and Commercial exhibits. A plant sale is usually held in conjunction with a show. Every Gesneriad Society Convention includes a Show.

Local chapters may hold an Annual Show as well as more frequent Little Shows. A Gesneriad Show provides an educational opportunity for both exhibitors and judges, at a wide range of skill levels. We use competitive judging (one first, second, and third prize per class) in the belief that this method of judging encourages exhibitors to make the greatest effort to improve the culture and presentation of the gesneriads they are growing. 

Certified Gesneriad Society Judges learn by growing, showing, judging, and studying, as they advance through three levels of expertise (Student, Senior, and Master Judge).

Schools for Judges and Exhibitors

A Judging School is held during each annual Gesneriad Society Convention. Look for registration information on our Convention Page beginning in January.

Gesneriad Society Chapters sponsor schools periodically throughout the year. Look for announcements of Chapter sponsored schools on our Events page. 

Questions about judging schools, shows or other judging-related topics? Contact Ben Paternoster, Chairperson of Shows and Judging 

Ben can also provide:

• Master Copies of Score Sheets
• List of Certified Judges
• Judges Annual Report Form
• Chapter Show Judges Form

Flower Show Supplies

Flower Show Supplies - are available for purchase, and include:

• Flower Show Manual for Judges and Exhibitors
• Flower Show Entry Cards
• Free back issues of our Journal (GESNERIADS, formerly THE GLOXINIAN) are available for publicity purposes, to Chapters holding shows/sales. Contact Peter Shalit, Publications Chairman 

ShowTime Software

Software is available to handle all phases of the entries process, from recoding an entry to printing clerking sheets to printing lists of award winners. Contact Showtime’s developer, Alan Lane for details and to purchase the program and its upgrades.

Judges’ Interest Group

To learn more about growing, showing and judging gesneriads, subscribe to Appraisal, the newsletter of the Judges Interest Group.