One of the most discussed and photographed flowers at the recent S I National in Nelson was a recently registered double COSMIC DAWN ,from John Hunter.I was not at the show but have heard from several that it was a striking flower . The breeding of COSMIC DAWN is Cotton Candy – x – O,More 34 – 76 ( Radcliffe sdlg – x – Richardson sdlg ) .
The first move by many judges when assessing the doubles is to check the back – not a sign of greening and very good symmetry . Thanks Graham Phillips for the images .
From the pollen of COSMIC DAWN onto his own very good pink cup TRANQUIL IMAGE , John Hunter made the cross JAH 2 – 02 – B , .
This flowered just a few days after the Nelson National and the many visitors to the Hunters had departed ..John feels this is an improvement on Cosmic Dawn and he has several selections from the cross . Thanks John for the images .
SPACELIGHT is a recent John Hunter registration and is from a Tropic Isle line of breeding .This was a nice flower Grown by John Hollever and staged by Brian MacKenzie at our late show .
MAELSTROM ( what a great name for a very full Double ) is a recent Denise McQuarrie registration and is building an impressive show record . A big flower , very well held on a strong stem and a good neck . Opens a yellow tone pink and deepens quite quickly to a nice salmon pink .Note the small stamen in there .3 flowers crossed .Yeah .
LUCKY DICE is one of my recent registrations and I sent it out to a few growers to assess. Pleased to see it is performing , but like many ( most ) doubles , consistency is a problem . I had two LUCKY DICE at our late show and
Spud Brogden had one , a bigger flower but not as full .My flowers had age markings on the back , Spuds was larger , cleaner , neater but not as well centered . Probably the middle ground required here — Malcolm obviously had it .
I also showed a pair of very strongly coloured first flower seedlings from the cross RED FLARE – X – KIWI SUNSET . Both had good size , excellent stems and necks and strong colours but also had considerable weather damage . Enough potential to mark and lift this summer .
GOLD CONVENTION – X – KIWI SOLSTICE gave me a lot of interesting seedlings in a range of colours and forms . This selection is very well layered and shows potential .
I thought Cosmic Dawn was an outstanding double at the NDS South Island Show and JAH 2 – 02 – B looks as if it has wonderful form. Lucky Dice had 2 lovely large flowers but too late this year for the South Island Show unfortunately . I am glad you have registered it, John. The other doubles are good too.
John,
I like the precision of Cosmic Dawn, it is a wonderful flower.
Nancy Wilson