Not hard to answer. Here’s the explanation seen in an exhibition at the Waterfront shopping centre in Bloemfontein last week:

Part of an intricate carpet of roses on display

Individual competitors submitted roses in different categories

A stunning variety of rose blooms floated in individual bowls

Coming from dry Smithfield, just 90 km down the N6 from Bloemfontein, I have only one question: how do these rose fanciers satisfy the thirst of their flowers?