We are having a very stop / start late winter – early spring . The last week has seen a warm northwest weather system , warm nights and some much needed warm rains . The daffs are in gear again — here are a few of interest .
Wilf Hall tazetta
Avalex – x – Voda
Another visit to Wilf Hall – three fine tazettas . Another from the cross — Avalex – x – Voda .The Voda influence is much more apparent here than the previous posted sibling that had much broader shoulders .This was a first flower , – excellent , tall strong stem and well held florets .Clean white and balanced small cup – the style that Wilf feels suits tazettas .Three florets at about 50 – 60 mm . A few more buds – first flowers – to come from this cross .
An Avalanche cross — AVX – 176 had 6 – 7 smaller – 30 – 40 mm flowers well held again on a tall , solid stem . A nice open floret with again a flattish , attractive cup . A strong yellow tone caught the eye ..
Surat is a tazetta from Nelson grower , the late John Byrne .I had not seen this Kiwi flower before — two stems , 2 and 3 – 30 – 40 mm flowers well held bright yellow flowers with a deeper cup . Registered in 2005 , Surat is a different style tazetta than the smaller cup styles that Wilf prefers .
The Stalker — very strong stem and neck , – ideal for a big , strong double
The Stalker is a double that I have posted before . A vigorous grower , strong stem ( stalk ) and good neck hold this bright early double very well .
Norty — Good form for an early double .
“Norty ” is another selection from the cross Kazan – x – Golden Orbit . Better form than most from the cross but a little lighter in colour . Strong stem , good neck – but perhaps not tall enough for a market flower . I regularly send a few seedlings South for the Pleasant Valley team to assess . It has performed very well for them – often used at early shows and will be listed this season .
011 – 1 Very early , big , bright and a double header .
Big , bright and strong , – a good summary of 011 – 1 , a very early flower from 88 – 23 – x – Early Orbit . A surprise also was a double header , rather crowded . Nine very good flowers this season – all carefully examined but no pistils or stamens .
10 – 17 , with seed parent Gee Pink
Having a good year was 4 W – P , 10 – 17 , breeding Gee Pink – x – Double seedling ( Replete line ) This is not a show style flower with it,s rosette style center but has a very classy perianth – clean white and very smooth . Not a big flower but good cutflower potential .