Daffodil Types, Intermediates

Intermediates

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Hi folks,

I wish to add another view to the discussion on Intermediates. A couple of years ago I entered a flower of Ititahi in the intermediate section of a show. At full size this cultivar grows to about 65mm. The judge ignored this well formed bloom when awarding prizes. Guessing the answer already I asked for comment on the judging and got the reply “I didn’t consider the flower because it is too small.” In other words a perfect Intermediate should be as close to the  maximum measurement allowed. That defies the purpose of having an Intermediate section where the ideal flower should be as close to 65mm as possible.

That should get you going.

Dave

3 comments for “Intermediates”

  1. I’m with you David and also think that to have a clear difference between standards and Intermediates we need to go back to 75mm. This gives clear direction to breeders.

    I know that a prominent NZ breeder is doing exactly that.

    All power to the true sized intermediates – Delightful wee flowers!!!!

    Malcolm

  2. My personal opinion is that size as an absolute should not be a judging criterion.  Size for the cultivar is another matter, as larger size implies a “better grown” bloom.  But as long as size as an absolute measurement garners points, “acceptable” cultivars will cluster at the upper limit of the category.  The problem with “size for the cultivar” is that it presumes the judge has clear knowledge of the range the cultivar can provide. 

    I’d far prefer that form was the deciding factor.

  3. Yes the small Intermediates are delightful flowers, but so are those near the top of the size measurement (80mm here).  If the size is reduced to 75mm where does that leave those 75 – 80mm varieties?  They are not able to compete against standard varieties from 1-4 and 11 so are in limbo.  I, like Melissa, believe that form is the most important factor and a couple of mm’s outside the ideal is not going to alter the form.

    However my more radical views are that we divide Intermediates into 2 sections. The smaller  daffodils (Elfin Section?) could be from 50mm up to 65 or 70mm and Intermediates from 65 or 70mm – 80mm or even 85mm, depending on what size minimum exhibitors believe that the flower is able to be competitive  in the Standard classes.  I would like to change the name “Intermediate” to something less mundane and more appealing to the general public, too.  Neil suggests “Hobbit”  but he thinks some of the breeders might take umbrage at such an idea!

    Kind regards to all

    Denise.

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