Orange Flushed Perianths .

I have been intrigued by the orange flush in daff perianths for many years .When I started working in daffs ( 1967 ) ,”Rouge” was the flushed flower that we had , followed not long after by the Jim O,More N Z flower ” Red Hot “, which was , if screened from direct sun , very intense .There has been a steady supply on improved show flowers , all division 2 or 3 ,over the years and they are now of a quality that they can be exhibited in top collections and win against the best yellow perianths .I have been making a few crosses , aimed at flushed perianths , mainly in division 1 and in doubles , for many seasons and last summer lifted and organised them into one planting area .There are a lot in flower at the moment and I was out with the camera , catching the best .

The most rewarding cross aimed at flushed trumpets , has been Red Haze — x — Hero, from which 4 selections have been made , over a few seasons .The only selection that measures trumpet is 12 – 72 , that also has a good , even flush ,but is not top form .

12 – 70 has a nice round perianth with light amber tones and a mid length cup .

Flushed perianth doubles have come from a wide range of parents , perhaps the most rewarding being a flushed Reg Cull seedling ( Spelter x Tekapo ) — x — Kiwi Solstice which has given 06 – 46 , with good flushing and reasonable form .

Rondel , a well coloured Phillips seedling has given, with a Fiji double seedling , a nice double 08 – 21, very round and with a light flush . My current prefered parent , for both seed and pollen use , 06 – 141 , is a well formed and coloured large cup that has Kiwi Solstice vigor and is an attractive , bright picking flower .It is a sibling to my 4 Y – O “Otaki Legacy ” , a very gold but not flushed perianth that proved the cross had had taken the doubling .