It was time to put the 2015 daffodil season to rest when the Central Daffodil Group met for lunch on Sunday, November 15 , just a week ago .Reg and Rita Cull in Foxton , about in the middle of our large area , very kindly offered to be our hosts . It was 6 weeks after our late show in Normanby Sat October 3 ; we had all recovered from a busy season and had a very enjoyable and relaxed luncheon and a good discussion on the flowers of 2015
.Most agreed that it was not a vintage year but that all the show Champs were worthy winners at a provincial level .Wayne , Spud ,Reg and Wilfred ( poets ) dominated the seedlings and all have some excellent registrations pending .As the season was well behind for the first shows , we also appreciated Wilfreds tazettas ; they were in all early collections and it is not surprising that growers from this area dominate the tazetta classes at the Nationals .If there was one flower that we all admired , it was the John Hollever grown , John Hunter bred 2Y – R seedling that was North Island Champ Bloom and , two weeks later was Reserve Champ in the South Island .Wayne brought it home from Waitara for Holly , put it in his chiller , then produced it for John to stage at Woodend .Who said daffs don,t have staying power .
And yes – it is live daffs that you see on our diner table . I took two nice bunches of flowers for our hostess Rita ; a bunch of daffs and a big bunch of proteas and leucospermums , from my brothers garden .I gave a vase life guarantee on both bunches – minimum 2 days for the daffs and minimum 2 weeks for the proteas .On 20 October , well past our usual season finish , I picked a big bunch of daffs – 2W – O Tanzey Girl ( Brogden ) 2Y – R Burning Bush ( Duncan) and my own late double 4Y –Y Last Dice .They were in a chiller , Max 5 oC and min 2 oC , the water was changed ever Monday , (3 times ) and about 50% were in reasonable condition 3 weeks later .
The doubles stayed in the chiller , – I bought them out yesterday ( 4 weeks ) they were just acceptable but looking quite sad today .The room temp today was over 22 oC and they wanted winter chills .But it certainly proves , if they go in young and fresh , 3 weeks is certainly possible to keep good show flowers .
Good to see the familiar faces around the table, you certainly have a great group of daffodil enthusiasts up your way. The leucospermums and protea are spectacular too. Green fingers must run in the family.