The Otaki Horticultural Society held our annual show on Friday 2 September .With declining membership , – a shortage of assistance in all departments , we opted for a smaller scale show ; a bench show with a restriction on entries from the big growers .We managed 190 stems from 11 growers , a good fit for the staff and staging available .The season was running late but judge Wayne Hughes had flowers from all divisions to test his skills .Division 3 were in short supply ; tazettas , doubles , intermediates and historics were popular .
Champion Bloom 2Y – O RHEBAN RED – John McLennan A good example of this proven winner ; good size , clean colours , strong stance .
Reserve Champion 1Y – Y SULPHUR MONARCH – Brian Mackenzie
Premier 1W- P PINK COSMOS – John McLennan Quite a few growers showing this nice pink .
Premier 2Y – Y Sdlg P T 10 / 05 – Peter Tijsen , A golden flower , bred from two reverse bicolour Brogden flowers .
Premier 3Y – R RAMAR PRINCE – Reg & Rita Cull , This is a very bright and early Graeme Phillips seedling ; a good size as were most of Reg, flowers this season .
Premier 3W – YO ANTJE – Peter Tijsen A very useful early smallcup raised by Peter .
Premier 4Y – O CAVALLI KING – John McLennan A big bloom , useful early – , no Ballistics out yet .
Premier Div 6 RAPTURE – Julie Harris A good example of this consistent variety .
Premier Div 7 WTH – LQ – 55 , 7W – W . a nice Limequilla seedling from Wilfred . Opens yellow , changes to milky white .
Premier Div 8 AVALEX – Peter Tijsens .Peter grows on a small Wellington city section , plus pots and had a good show . Best from a host of tazettas .
Premier Intermediate 4Y – Y BRASS BUTTON – John McLennan Very golden , consistent .
Premier Historic 2Y – O ASHLAR , ( 1959 ) – Reg & Rita Cull . A big flower , good size . I had not seen this O,More flower before . It was impressive ; I asked Reg if it was a regular winner in it,s day but he commented that it was not considered brightly enough coloured or widely distributed .
Miniature Vase N bulbicodium var bulbicodium – Julie Harris . Also best vase of 3 . Julie is very strong in the lower division flowers , – appealing in simple form .