Probably the most noticeable feature of N Z daff shows in the last few seasons has been the emergence of the Div 9 flowers , the POETS , as serious contenders for top show honours .They were traditionally very late season , very seldom out in time for the North Island National Shows ( second weekend in September ) and only seen in small numbers at the South Island National – ( fourth weekend September ) , and at the late shows , early October . I exhibited at 5 shows this season , from 31 August until 5 October ; at all shows there were poets shown and in contention for highest honours . From the 5 shows , the Poets had one CHAMPION BLOOM and 2 RESERVE CHAMPS . These have been posted in earlier show results but here is an interesting review . 
The first show of the season , TITAHI BAY , 31 August . Champion Bloom , W P 37 , Wilf Hall . 
OTAKI , 6 September . Premier , W P 1 , Wilf Hall .
RONGOTEA , 19 September , Premier M H 114 – 03 , Wilf Hall and one of my season Highlights , a yellow centered poet , a Wilf Hall Seedling .
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C D G PALMERSTON NORTH , Reserve Champion ,
GLEN LOSSIE , Wilf Hall , also class for 9 blooms N Z raised , 9 poets from Wilf Hall .
WHANGANUI , Central Late Show , Reserve Champion , UNKNOWN POET , John Hollever .
Almost all the leading Kiwi hybridists have been crossing a few poets and the seedlings are appearing at all the shows .From our two N D S National Shows , Gisborne and Nelson this season , the poets abounded .The open Poet collection , ( 6 stems ) , had 3 North entries , 7 South entries . The single blooms had 4 North entries , 16 South entries .The seedlings had 2 in the North and 5 in the South . Impressive numbers indeed .
Max Hamilton was one of the leading Poet breeders and very generously sent seedlings and seeds to many growers .His records on the parentage are not solid but Colin Crotty has supplied these good photos of many of Max,s seedlings and a few of his own .
HOOT OWL , — MAX HAMILTON , — probably a Dreamland seedling .
OCEAN SONG , — MAX HAMILTON , — probably a Dreamland seedling .
EMMY LOU , — , MAX HAMILTON , — one of the brightest fiery eyes .
Max sent Colin a lot of poet seed ; Colin has done a splendid job growing the seed , selecting and naming some of the resultant fine poets . Unfortunately the pedigrees are unknown .
JIM,S POET , — HAMILTON Seed , — selected by JIM DAVIDSON and named by Colin
GLENLILY ,– HAMILTON Seed , named by Colin for a for a fine Scots Whiskey .
GLEN LOSSIE , — HAMILTON Seed , named by Colin for a fine Scots Whiskey .
Here are a few of Colins recent seedlings .
C C 35 – 05 , A Crotty seedling , to be registered as SINGLE MALT .
OBLIQUE A Crotty seedling , BRED Sdlg – x – Sdlg ,
UPGRADE , A Crotty seedling , again , bred sdlg — x — sdlg .
POETS JUSTICE , — A Gordon Coombes seedling , a little larger than most .
Some very fine POETS , very noticeably round and flat , very little reflexing of the sparkling white perianths .
All of these are wonderful, but I think ‘Ocean Song’ is a knockout! Love the color intensity in ‘Emmy Lou’, also.
Greg, can you grow poets satisfactorily in your climate? You should be on a parallel with Larry Force, and therefore ought to be able to. We can’t–they live but don’t bloom, as summer comes too early. To paraphrase the Brits, “Of course we have springtime in Mississippi, Why, last year it was on a Tuesday.” Loyce
Very, very nice to see these! Simply exquisite.
Steve
Indeed an interesting review of some superb poets. As one with more than an average interest in the poets, I enjoyed seeing such great examples of new poet seedlings. Congratulations to all the hybridizers and exhibitors.
I feel a lot of the somewhat renewed interest in the poets is due in part to the superb hybridizing efforts and generosity of the late great Max Hamilton. Of course all of you active poet hybridizers deserve credit also.Thanks so much , from all the poet lovers!
Thanks, John for posting.
Loyce, it’s interesting that you asked me about poets. Mike Berrigan and I discussed them extensively in Nashville, and I had been determined to buy some cheap ones just to see how they do for me, but I caught “miniature” fever by the time bulb ordering time rolled around. I don’t have any “true” poets, but my Div. 3s, of course, are heavily infused with poet breeding. My Div. 3s with red and orange rims usually end up with orange and faint yellow rims respectively. It just gets too hot too quickly by the time they’re in bloom. Having a near full sun garden with the sun bearing down has its advantages AND its disadvantages! (I would have to resort to “unnatural” means of protecting poets from the sun.) ‘Killearnan’, though a favorite, didn’t last long in my garden. Unfortunately, ‘Killearnan’ did last long enough for me to make a very interesting cross with it. Since I have yet to see a maiden bloom from the one or two seedlings that remain after the initial planting, I’ll not count any chickens before they hatch, but it will be interesting for sure. Could be my most exciting seedlings yet. Then again, they might be awful! That said, I think I will plant some “true” poets beneath my catalpa tree. The tree is beginning to leaf out during my late daffodil season, and some nearby shrubs provide a little extra protection from the hot sun. Anything to deflect its effects should help. And, yes, I would think that I can grow pretty much whatever Larry grows. We were able to talk about this at length at the Tucson airport, waiting for our plane. Perhaps Larry can make some poet recommendations for me. Then I won’t have to be too jealous of our friends down under!
Greg, the shade may have some effect, , but I really feel, for us at least, the early summer heat, and long hot summer nights, are a barrier. Interesting that you mentioned ‘Killearnan’–I was very distressed when it was re-classified a Div. 3–“My only successful poet!” I objected. Div. 3 isn’t easy for us–I think I have only once been able to stage a collection of five from Divison 3.
Loyce
John,
I think Denise McQuarrie should be added to the list of successful NZ hybridists of Div 9 cultivars. I note that her Cranleigh won the single bloom Div 9 class at the 2013 NI National and was used in two of the winning Poeticus collections at the 2013 SI National As you suggest there is a remarkable upsurge of interest in this division. To have Poets flowering in time for the NI National is a real breakthrough.
Rondo has been the banker for many years and was still able to win the SI single bloom class. It is a parent of Cranleigh. For many years a local grower always won the local Christchurch single bloom class with Rondo. She had it planted in full sun next to a garage in order to get it flowering in time for the shows. I have Rondo planted under a rose bush where it thrives in full sun, very dry and rarely watered. I wonder if Rondo or its progeny may be the answer to Greg’s questions regarding keeping Poets in his conditions?
Dave Adams
Dave,
Indeed Denise has been very active in the hybridizing of the poets. She has raised some very beautiful ones.
Rondo has done very well for me here in north Mississippi. In fact, I got my start of it from you. It would be a great one for Greg to try in his area. As we are talking poets, I will post a few seedlings that might be of interest. A couple have Rondo as a parent.
Larry
Sounds like ‘Rondo’ will be at the top of my list to acquire in 2014!
Greg