parent/child class

Like Donna Dietsch, I have always kept a record of parentage on the 3×5 cards that I use for each cultivar, and I also include it on my spreadsheets where cultivars are displayed by show class. It is not hard to sort out possible entries from that data ( the hard part is getting them to bloom at the same time, and in time for the show!), and I am able to make an entry at least every other year on average. One issue I have with the class has been that entries naturally tend to be two similar flowers, so the educational and general interest of the exhibit is not very high. Further, using the usual judging criteria, the exhibit with the highest point total wins, with no consideration given to the educational or science interest of an exhibit. This problem might be ameliorated somewhat, although not entirely, by Bob Spotts’ excellent point (thanks, Bob) re: the inclusion of species. That suggests another option, which would be to require that the parent and child be from different divisions or, at a minimum, different show classes. Some shows do this sort of thing already in order to make multi-stem one color collections more interesting by requiring that two or more divisions be represented. (Some shows reward “diversity”, but without awarding points for this quality, it is meaningless.) Perhaps more extensive use of this option would make all single-division and single-color collections more interesting.

3 comments for “parent/child class

  1. I think no matter what the criteria is (same or different divisions, species paired with miniatures and standards), this is an educational and scientific exhibit, and it is always fun to have a new challenge. To open it up even more, perhaps it could be not a class for not necessarily parent and child, but even ancestors of the “child.” Talk about a fun use for the Daffseek Pedigree feature! This could also encourage people to grow more historics and species.
    Becky Fox Matthews that daffy girl near Nashville, TN

  2. I put together the exhibit in Minnesota to point out the features of the parents what was seen in the child this year.  A couple years ago another exhibit was entered in the class by another member showing the parent and child of a daffodil with names that were important to the exhibitor. A wonderful story was tersely provided on an accompanying card.   It was one of the most popular exhibits that year with a line to look at it most of the time.  The public was interested in more than just the flowers.  Several people remarked that they had no idea that these flowers had other connections in peoples lives.   These exhibits are also a good tie-in to the recently produced ADS banners on breeding and classification.  Now that our local group has a set of them I now know where to physically place this type of exhibit in the future.  

    I like the local awards that do not have to meet the standard judging criteria.  We have several and these have been popular entries.  Most have been contested when appropriate blooms were to be had.  

    I could envision an educational exhibit comprising related flowers united by an underlying theme.  This theme explained by an accompanying written text.  The judging criteria would not be flower form but quality of the explanation and appropriateness of the collection.  Our local group has thus far steered clear of any bad feelings resulting from iffy judging, or differing opinions.  As I look at this subject through the eyes of DAFFNET, we could use clearer criteria.  

    We also have a decade collection that is a collection of 7 daffodils with each coming from a different decade.  1880 is different from 1980 and 2004 is different from 1906.  Standard judging criteria applies, but it is really interesting to see the entries.   I would welcome any suggestions to make this type of class more meaningful to the entrants and to the public that these exhibits will help educate about this wonderful flower.

  3. I missed the discussion that brought forth Mike’s email, since Mary and I have been on an extended trip and email access was scarce.
    But the topics are just what would fit into our Poster Presentations for the convention in Chicago. This will be an opportunity for _anyone_ who has something of interest to ADS members to place a poster or modest display in the hospitality room we will have at the Chicago Botanic Garden throughout the convention. It will be open to anyone to place something there and will be viewable to all who visit that room. If the “presenter” wishes to announce a time to visit with those interested or wishes to “take names”, so be it.
    This type of “presentation” is quite popular at professional and academic meetings. It serves the interests of those who don’t want to make a formal presentation but who have something they feel deserves attention from the broader membership. It”s up to attendees to fill the Poster Presentation program. I hope that one or more of the ideas in the email make it to Chicago.
    Another popular informal session at professional meetings is the “Birds of a Feather” announcement. We can accommodate those in the hospitality room, too. A Birds of a Feather announcement could a prepared poster or a quickly scribbled note proclaiming something like, “All those interested in intermediate daffodils with green perianths, sign below and we will start an online discussion group”, or perhaps “I’ll be here in this room at 3 pm Saturday to meet with anyone who is interested in my exhaustive test results of black marking pens that weather well in the upper midwest.” Well, anyway, you get the idea.

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