Wilf had a quiet birthday last week but told me he could not have had a better present .It is about a month away from the start of our North Island show season and I have commented in posts over the last few seasons that our poet breeders have been getting a very few early poets out for the N I National , usually second week September . Wilfred has been leading the charge here and has now exceeded even his highest expectations .A POET in early August is a birthday present that most breeders would be very delighted to receive . HAPPY BIRTHDAY , you clever fellow .! Two more advanced buds from the same cross .
Wilf has misplaced ( lost ? ) the planting book for the bed that this seedling is flowering in . He planted out 4 small seedlings , probably 3 years ago ; one flowered last season , early but not exceptionally so . The growth was slow this frosty season and when I called , about 2 weeks ago , tazettas were plentiful and Wilf commented on a few poets that were through very early .Then the excited phone call and story of the birthday present . I demanded a photo and soon the email arrived , with apologies for the dirt . No apology needed , a truly amazing breeding feat . The pollen will be well used from this 40 mm flower ; miniature proportions .
AVALEX has been one of Wilfs best show tazettas and he quickly found it was fertile .I was very impressed with this 2 header , good size , smooth flowers from Avalex – x – Poet .
I have shown this tall , strong tazetta , G – 100 – 2 before . It is close to registration and always impresses .Two tone soft yellows , full heads , thick , tall stems .Again bred from a Grand Mon Seedling .
Tequila Sunset is another registration .I picked a few from John H . patch . Big flowers for a multi head , very strong orange in the young flowers that fade a little with time .Usually 3 – 6 flowers on tall , solid stems .Look at that great petal , 11 o,clock , great form .
This is Wilf Hall the new Daffodil Activist that you are highlighting here, John. During the Radio Live interview last Saturday when Wilf was helping to promote our National Shows, the interviewer misread his prompt notes and changed ‘Archivist’ to ‘Activist’. A much more exciting description.
Margaret, would you email me directly at , please.
Loyce McKenzie
John, thank you for these photos.
I like the Avalex seedling. It is brightly colored.
Nancy