At last – yes , – we were all very pleased to have a daff show after 2 weeks under ” no show ” midseason , very frustrating, lockdowns . Wednesday 15 September , the Rongotea Spring Flower Show had a very good display of all spring flowers and 14 exhibitors staged a very creditable 433 daffodil stems across all the divisions and exhibitor grades . The show was very well spaced , good social distancing and masks for all . Judge Wayne Hughes , open , and John Hollever ,the rest , sorted the winners and a very tidy Premier table was soon assembled . They faced 73 vases 3 and 172 singles , total 391 stems and the public voted on 6 vases of 7 .
We had been without a show in probably the peak of the local season , – all divisions were on display – even the first of the poets .National executive member , John Hollever , having his first season at home for several years, had obviously done all those little extras that produce the bigger blooms and he domminated the open classes with big . well staged flowers .
Champion Bloom , 2Y – O , JAMORE – – John Hollever. Good size , good colour , smooth .
Reserve Champion , 2Y – W , LUMINOSITY – John Hollever. Very well reversed , so attractive .
Premier Trumpet – 1W – Y – – B B 10 – 2 – 8 , – Brogden Bulbs . Good form , and colour .
Premier 2Y – Y – CLANDONATION – – Dianna Loader – Big , strong flower , well held .
Premier 2 O – O – — HOTSEAT – John Hollever . Stunning , even orange flush , – had us all talking .
Premier 2W – Y – – HONEYBOURNE John Hollever . big flower , well held .
Premier 4W – O – — BLOSSOM LADY , – John Hollever . Very round , well layered .
Premier Div 6 — 6Y – W — — FLIGHTPATH – John Hollever . Well reversed , head down nicely .
Premier Intermediate – 2 O – O HOT CHILLI – – John Hollever . Again , excellent orange flush, very neat .
Premier Novice – 2W – O – NOWRA – Marton School . Bulbs purchased at our summer bulb sales . Well done children , – thanks to Dennis Rodgers for your encouragement .
Premier Miniature – — HAWERA – Lucie Beattie . 3 even blooms , – Lucie drove through HAWERA on the way to the show .
Premier Vase 3 – 4W – YR CAPE FAREWELL – Brian MacKenzie . A very even vase , from a host of the consistent Farewells at the show .
I had a computer crash a few days before the show , – my photos were mostly rescued but I lost my independent, older , Lightroom system ; – used the Windows system to very slowly move and sort these. I feel the yellows are a little soft but was pleased to get the 2 flushed flowers quite well .The public were amazed by HOTSEAT and HOT CHILLI – both about as orange as I have seen . Grower John Hollever advocated plenty of potash , and we have had good even rains in a wettish winter , – good size and colour for the daffs .