The Central Dahlia Group held their show on Saturday 3 March and as has been the custom for several seasons , the Central Daffodil Group had a Daffodil Bulb sale along side the bright and vibrant flowers . It was the last show on the Dahlia circuit but the growers felt it was probably the seasons best . We had a very wet late spring , then two months of drought , – but recently some good rains and excellent growing conditions .That is , if you don’t mind the tail sting from the remnants of a big tropical cyclone dropping down over New Zealand .
Certainly a little different from the ” beast from the east ” that is chilling Europe and the North East U S A .Quite a few of our daff growers were winners at the Dahlia Show ; – I hope these warm and cheerful colours help you through the last ( hopefully ) of the winter storms .
Champion Bloom was a large , very clean , very white Cactus , KENORA JUBILEE , grown by Loretta Neilson , a Hawkes Bay exhibitor .I have long felt that very clean , very white , Daffs win top award out of proportion to the numbers shown . Apparently similar story in Dahlias . BUT it is easier said than done . They look striking , pristine and often a white glow but so hard to get them to the shows without marks or blemishes that always stand out on the white . A good show with a bright premier table .
Waterlillies are always distinctive ; winning vase of TARATAHI RUBY to daff grower Diana Loader . BRACKEN BALLERINA is always attractive .
A Californian connection with two attractive fimbriated flowers . TIOGA LOVESONG and the regular winner , TIOGA DAWN. Is the Tioga Pass still closed with snow or has this road link and entry to Yosemite NP opened already for spring traffic ?
POOH and MARY EVELYN are contrasting styles , – bright and popular .
TROOPER DAN , – yellow , and the oldie , SHOW’ N ‘ TELL are big and strong flowers .
Daff grower Julie Harris had a good show , winning with MARY’S JAMANDA , – a big vase of BLYTON SOFTER GLEAM also on the top table .
EDINBURGH has been having some very chilling weather but this EDINBURGH is a very distinctive dahlia . The measuring rings were out checking this bright miniature ; they are also useful for measuring Daffodil intermediates for correct size .
I did not record the name of this vase but they just glowed – a bright neon shade .
The venue was the local Feilding Scout Hall , good facilities and room for the daffs to take two trestle tables . We were well organised and had a very good sales day ; probably our best yet . A lot of bright photos and good signage helps a lot .
We had 9 daff growers for a brief meeting , – talking bulb lifting and planting preparations as we will be starting soon ; also looking at our show and AGM meeting dates , – still a long way ahead . A very warm 29 o C in the Manawatu ; – soil temps still a little high for planting .Our T V new has been reporting the very cold weather , particularly over Europe . Stay warm as we enjoy the late summer flowers .