We had a few warm days (and nights ) late last week , the early market flowers and the early seedlings moving quickly .We are probably about a week or 10 days behind last season .I would think that our long record autumn drought is mostly responsible – no moisture means no early root initiation and no early growth .After the flooding we had 2 weeks ago ,(8 inches , 200 mm over 4 days ) , the root zones have adequate moisture .Good for the September Show flowers .
A very early white trumpet , good form for a June flower , is John Hunter 3 – 93 – B, [ Penguin – x (Glendermott – x – Kotuku )] – x – Canisp . Big flowers , tall , strong stance .
A very well coloured early double , amongst the first , again an impressive strong stem and neck and bright colours .Looks like 9 buds from the 15 planted – not a sign of any green backs – very pleasing .Probably the best from the cross .
A tall big redcup from the same cross 88 – 23 ( Scorcher – x – Cinel ) – x – Early Orbit . is seedling 08 – 20 , [ garden name Kickstart ], not quite first early but the best early form to date , big buds open well on the tall stem .I made this cross 3 times over 5 years until the first seedlings flowered ; since then have found good fertility in the new selections , both doubles and singles .
Yellow trumpets are now in full supply in the North Island markets and Erlicheer is just beginning .The big stocks of Malvern City are about 2 – 3 weeks away .
You are very early up where you are John. It has been a cold winter here and a lot of the daffodils are yet to show above ground, I guess it only takes a few days of warm rain to encourage them up. Kickstart looks very colorful. Hope you have a great season with your cut flowers. John H’s seedling looks a fine large flower too, being the Northern Hemisphere equivalent of a December/early January flower with our winter solstice being June 21st
Looks like a late season here too Denise. Very little foliage above the ground and only nine weeks to the first National.
Dave