Okay, got my own answer to the second slip-potting question -- actually the whole pot is put into another plastic lined pot. Double-potting? - Still not sure.

mold potting - you mold the soil under and around a smaller pot - exactly the size that you have on a plant your are transplanting to a a bigger one - let's say - solo cup. Very accurately extract the solo cup out of the pot with mold, take an old solo cup off your starter - and slip it in carefully in a resulting hole. Add some soil on the top. Off you go. You moved the young plant to a next size pot - and didn't disturb the roots.

Double potting. You look at your plant before entering it into the Show - and OMG - it is underpotted. You will lose points because your pot is much less than 1/3 of the leaf span. Aha - you get the bigger pot, stick plant in - pot and everything - and top dress the surface. Idea is grand - but it is cheating and if caught - your plant will be disqualified. If not than not.

Heheh that IS a grand idea. I never would have thought of it!

Thanks for explaining Irina.

Interesting. Rather surprised the double potting is considered "cheating".

It is not for the benefit of the plant for sure. You can always do the procedure #1, but there is more chance of spreading soil, breaking leaves etc.