The Otaki Horticultural Society held our annual daffodil show on Friday 4 September . We are still under light Covid restrictions ; no gatherings over 100 , all visitors must register and be traceable and hand sanitizer was available . A warm spring meant that the flowers were plentiful and 13 exhibitors filled the benches with about 300 stems across all three exhibitor grades . Still a little early for Div 9 Poets but all other divisions were well represented . Judge Wayne Hughes commented the standard was good but not exceptional , – most exhibitors agreed , – the warm weather had opened the blooms quickly and perhaps the quality was a little lacking and flowers were not large but across the classes quite even with no standout champion .It was pleasing to see a few new exhibitors in the middle and new exhibitor grades with some good flowers there . Peter Tijsen from a small Wellington city section grows his daffs in pots , to a very high standard from a windy suburb in our capital and had the amateur champ . The rest were well spread , and I had home court advantage but we were all limited to a maximum of 40 blooms .It was so very obvious that all were pleased to be showing flowers and enjoying the show buzz .One day shows are always a little hectic , also we could not have our usual communal lunch but the day went very well .
Champion Bloom J F M 4Y – Y Seedling . – John McLennan . I am not certain of the parentage – we all get them mixed at times .Very full rising center , clean deep yellow , well held with strong stem and neck .
RESERVE CHAMPION – 2Y – Y G P Seedling , – I – 112 – 15 – John McLennan . Graham Phillips will probably register as KIWI SURPRISE , – Breeding KIWI GOSSIP – X – BANKER . Big flower .
Premier 1Y – Y , P Ramsay Sdlg – John McLennan . A big clean trumpet , similar to Bermuda Triangle in form .
Premier 1W – P and Amateur Premier , – PINK COSMOS , – Peter Tijsen . A big clean flower , well in contention for higher honours .
Premier 1W – W , SILVER MONARCH , – Peter Tijsen , – good size , very white .
Premier 2Y – O , TRIPAPON , – John McLennan . good size and stance .
Premier 2W – W , FLORENCE JOY , – Marg Matterson . A well deserved first Otaki Prem for Marg , a newer exhibitor , growing some nice blooms .
Premier Div 3 , SHOWDOWN , – David Luty , good size and colour that David had in all his blooms .
Premier Intermediate , 2Y – YR TAYFORTH JEWEL , — Diane Irwin .Very bright and neat . A good reward for our hard working , well organised secretary Diane .
Premier Miniature , Vase 3 N . jonquilla , – Peter Tijsen . A neat vase with good colour .
Premier Sdlg , 4 O – O , J F M 20 – F – 1 , – John McLennan . My best yet in this newer subdivision .Good size , well flushed , nice rising center , good symmetry .A very much discussed bloom , so very different .A few ridges in the perianth but I was very pleased with this first flower with a complex pedigree .
Premier Vase 3 , 11Y – YO , – GIPSY CLASS . – Brian MacKenzie .Brian does this one very well , – a standout vase , well grown , well presented .
A very enjoyable start to the regular spring show season after an interesting winter .
Thank you John, some very lovely flowers.
Harold
Great flowers, John! Thank you for posting!
Lovely flowers and a treat to hear about a show this year.