The Rongotea Spring Show , – held Thursday 20 September , a fine , warm , spring day across the central region .The Kiwi season has been very early for most areas and our Central flowering is running 10 – 14 days ahead , – we are running out of blooms and concerned at what will be left for the next 2 weeks of scheduled shows .The local weather has been very considerate for September , – no big storms , – little wind and warm days – flowers racing to open .The benches were full across all grades – perhaps the open section was a little light . We welcomed Graham Phillips from Hamilton , – along with Mike Berrigan , – down with beautiful , big , Waikato flowers .Judge Wayne Hughes selected these fine flowers .
Champion Bloom – Waihaha , 2W – WWP , Graham Phillips . A very big , round bloom , looking right at you – imposing .
Reserve Champion – Conundrum , 2Y – YOO , Dennis Rodgers . A conundrum for the judge , as the name suggests , a colour change in the well finished cup , is it yellow or orange ? Big bloom , fine perianth , neat cup rim .
Premier 2 Y – Reverse Whitford Moonlight , reg as a 2Y – Y , looked a reverse bicolour . – Graham Phillips . I had not seen this variety before , – very neat , hard to code – just a little different .
Premier 2Y – Y , Gold Duet , – 2Y – Y , – John Mclennan . Very neat , smooth perianth , round cup .
Premier Seedling – JFM 13 – 16 , – 1Y – Y , – John Mclennan . A Kinghorn Seedling , .
Premier 3Y – O , Flash in the Pan , – John Mclennan . Not seen a lot , a good sized , smooth Reg Cull registration .
Premier 3Y – Y , Nonchalant , – Graham Phillips . A good late season bloom .
Premier Div 7 , Yellow Dello , 7Y – YYP . – Diane Irwin . A very attractive jonquilla , soft colour tones .
Premier Div 9 Poeticus . – Max Hamilton Seedling – Dennis Rodgers .The best of a good number of poets flowering early .
Premier Div 11 Split Corona , — Jodi , — Graham Phillips. Not seen a lot ; different Brian Duncan Registration , neat .
Premier Vase Miniatures . – Bulbicodium conspicuous , — Elsa Stern , – A tidy vase from our C DG patron , still strong in the miniatures .
Premier Vase 3 , G P Seedling 1W – Y , – Graham Phillips . # even blooms , clean colours , Tall .
A very good top table
Hopefully this is the first post of many from our show season ; – I have a lot of photos and as the daffs are coming to an early finish , I will get them posted .
John, thank you for posting photos of those gorgeous winning flowers, as well as a few of the people involved. It makes me want to be there to see them in person, but this is second best. Congratulations to all the winning exhibitors. Thanks again!