The tags with iris ID are closed during judging so judges don't know who brought which stalk. In seedling classes we turn the tags over as many judges are familiar with the seedling numbers from garden visits.
It is more difficult to keep TBs looking good than the medians. Each person has their own way to transport. We are coming back from convention the day before the show so probably won't have much. But even if you have only 1 stalk to show, if it is nice. it helps out. Shows are a good way to introduce irises to the public. Even stalks put nicely in place can show fingerprints so at the last minute we rub them down with cotton balls. The club provides the show containers ( ours are made from pcb pipes). There are often wedges to hold them upright. A partially open bud is judged as a fully open one. Seedlings are not 'groomed'.
