Jules -

Im my opinion it is too late for the not enough buds plant. But if the plant is symmetrical and has no mars on the leaves - why not to bring it. Not enough - if it is 3 flowers altogether - it is way too few - but if you wanted 15 and you only have 10 - you can always enter it is in newbie class - first time participants - and very possibly you will get your blue ribbon or even the best in class.

I do not think that removing the row of leaves will encourage blooming. You are removing part of the factory that produces energy.

When you will be ready for the show - remove the flowers that start to get old with small scissors from the bloomstalks in a way that no pedicels left (the stalk the t attaches the flower to the bloomstalk). Better to have less than to have them brown.

Good luck on your first show!!!

Irina

Hey kiddo..
when we had our show I had several plants with only one beautiful bloom.So I took the blossoms and entered them in the show in the blossom section.then I took leaves off the same plants and bagged them up for the sales table..The leaves to those blossoms were gone in a flash...And I got a blue ribbon for one of the blooms.So if your club does that its worth taking leaves and plants for the sales table.one year I made $160 on leaves and plants.Out club splits it 50/50....:0)

Hi Jules,
I would bring it in and let the entries chairman decide if it's good enought to enter into the show. If the show where you are is anything like the shows in my area, clubs are frequently desperate for entries.
Fred in NJ