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Judging doubles

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I think the information on p. 93 in the ADS Handbook is excellent advice to follow when judging doubles. 
Where form is concerned, division four flowers need to pass the test spelled out in the first paragraph. 
 
Even though we are looking for flowers with doubling, we are still nonetheless looking for flowers with SIX perianth segments, in each layer of the perianth.  Flowers that have seven or eight are in serious trouble, in my opinion.  (though many judges have and no doubt will continue to argue til the cows come home on this very point)
 
Using the advice on P. 93, it is a simple task to separate the chaff from the wheat and move on to evaluating the flowers that have passed this first big hurdle.  Once the issue of good form for the division has been addressed, then judging the rest of the aspects of the flower requires no more effort than judging daffodils in any other division. 
 
Chriss Rainey
 
 

3 comments for “Judging doubles”

  1. Chriss, thanks for your response.  Since many of our Daffnet friends are not from the US, I'm typing the paragraph from the ADS Judges Handbook you referenced below.  I especially like the last sentence that refers to a feather duster!  ;->  International friends, on the preceding page, a sentence stated that "For multi-floreted cultivars in Divisions 5, 7, and 8 as well as the multi-floreted cultivars in Division 4, the form of each floret should be judged in the same way flowers in Divisions 1, 2, and 3 are judged..." with mention that fault points taken off for a stem with multiple florets should be divided by the number of florets.  I suppose point deducted off for any individual petal eccentricity (tear, bruise, mitten, etc.) should also be divided by the number of petals.

    "Division 4 flowers pose unique problems in evaluating form because of the number of petaloids involved.  The judge should check the back of the flower not only for damage and color faults but also for the correct number of perianth segments.  If there are either more or less than six segments on the back of a double, points should be deducted.  Symmetrical placement of the petaloids is a key consideration.  In the most pleasingly formed doubles, the petaloids are arranged in layers, spaced equidistant, with the tips in each layer aligned.  If the tips are not aligned, they should be equidistant between the tips of the petaoids in the layer below.  The bloom should have enough petaloids that it is decidedly double but not so many that it loses symmetry and looks like a feather duster."

    I judged with a panel once (no names or location will be provided) who counted the number of layers of petals.  I don't think they were checking for multiples of 6 petals, but thought that the better flower would have more rows of petals.  I think it always comes down to which is the better flower, but I don't think that depends on the number of layers of petals.  Comments on that, anyone? 

    Thanks,
    Becky Fox Matthews
    that daffy girl near Nashville
    1VP, ADS


  2. I think the information on p. 93 in the ADS Handbook is excellent advice to follow when judging doubles. 
    Where form is concerned, division four flowers need to pass the test spelled out in the first paragraph. 
    Even though we are looking for flowers with doubling, we are still nonetheless looking for flowers with SIX perianth segments, in each layer of the perianth.  Flowers that have seven or eight are in serious trouble, in my opinion.  (though many judges have and no doubt will continue to argue til the cows come home on this very point)
    Using the advice on P. 93, it is a simple task to separate the chaff from the wheat and move on to evaluating the flowers that have passed this first big hurdle.  Once the issue of good form for the division has been addressed, then judging the rest of the aspects of the flower requires no more effort than judging daffodils in any other division. 
    Chriss Rainey

  3. Bob, I think I agree with all you say – the important, dominant point in judging the form of daffodils, single or double, is symetry – I’ve bored so many peeple in preaching this message. In doubles, it matters not whether the symetry comes from additional petaloids (tending to be masculine – angular, formal and rigid) or from coronal segments (tending to be feminine – fluffy, soft and cuddly). But this only deals with form – so many judges forget colour. I’ve been an long-time ( and boring) advocat for giving more points for colour in judging points systems based on a simple observation of what the general public finds attractive in flowers – and all exhibition flowers ought also and ultimately satisfy garden requirements! Not all do – and I confess I have raised a few that fail miserably in garden qualities eg. Dorchester which does not have a stem to match bloom quality, though it keeps winning it’s share of awards and, in contradiction of the foregoing ,I just would not be without it in my collection! Well, I’m allowed a little inconsistency too!! Brian Brian

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