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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 7:37:45 GMT
Got back last night after a few days in Southport and one in Blackpool. I've seen the pictures Derek put on. Hell of a co-incidence because I was talking to Steve when Derek asked him if he knew who I was and there I was stood right next to him. Anyway, the show itself was an amazing experience and it was nice to talk to some proper growers and see some amazing blooms, especially the giants. I got there about 8.30, unloaded all the dahlias with great help from the wife, from their buckets into vases so that my friend who drove us up could get back to Shrewsbury. Most survived the bumpy trip, a bit of damage done to some of the Sir Alf's. Finished unloading about 9.30, then it was a quick taxi ride to find our hotel. My wife stayed there and I went back to the show to start arranging with strict instructions not to stay there all night. I said it shouldn't take too long. Well I don't know how i managed it but I finished about 6 am  I managed seven Firsts, one 2nd and one 3rd which I was thrilled with, and later, as were going about to leave, had another look round and found a little certificate saying I'd won a trophy for the 2nd best exhibit in the dahlia section for the 3 vases of small decs. That really was the icing on the cake. So all in all a cracking experience and they all hope I can go back next year, which is a nice compliment. |
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Post by markb on Aug 18, 2013 8:25:42 GMT
Very well done scrumpy. Funny how staging always takes longer than we think, lol.
Time to start planning for next year, is it?
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 8:43:00 GMT
Very well done scrumpy. Funny how staging always takes longer than we think, lol. Time to start planning for next year, is it? Certainly is. Nobody could believe that the smalls were not grown under covers, and that they were all on wing or side buds, even the mediums. What I am looking at now is cutting back all the blooms that have finished, and selecting some to grow on to see what they look like at national time. That would really be a first if I could get quality blooms from the same plant a month after the first show. |
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Post by markb on Aug 18, 2013 9:35:47 GMT
That would be good if you can manage it. Just proves that you don't need to grow 50+ plants of a variety to be competitive as long as you get quality from what you have.
Work commitments prevent me attending Nationals this year (though I don't fancy running the M25 in mid-week either). Mind you, the way my plants are there is more chance of a good cut on Boxing Day, lol.
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Post by dcdahlia on Aug 18, 2013 9:53:04 GMT
Well done scrumpy.I will be seeing you at harrogate then  |
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 11:50:50 GMT
Well done scrumpy.I will be seeing you at harrogate then you never know . If I can get anything I will enter in the under 200 plants section |
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 12:04:33 GMT
Some photos then. These are they in buckets for transporting. Simple builders bucket, hole drilled in the rim for the cane, 2 holes half way up the bucket either side of the cane to tie them in.Bungee rope to secure the canes.   Giants first. Thought I had a good chance when I cut them. Took one look at what was already on the tables as I arrived and knew I had no hope. Best giants I've ever seen and one of the NDS boys said best since Harrogate about 5 years ago. Mine are in the middle, from bottom Fairway Spur, Bryn Terfel and Sir Alf  Six Sir Alf  As I said, no prizes but here is the first 3 sir alf, 2Hamarii Gold, 1 fairway spur  and 2nd 3 Bonaventure,2 Hamari Gold, 1 Bryn Terfel  There were loads of Bryn Terfel and Kenora Valentine entered that looked really good.In all I'd say at least 50 giants were entered. |
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 12:19:58 GMT
In the mediums, I enetered 2 vases of 3 with Vals Candy and Ruskin Bride that came nowhere. Up against some nice moonlights. However, got the first with Vals candy. This was up against at least 3 other Vals's and a couple of moonlights.  The side bud growing paid off with these as form was really good. Medium decs I won with Dikara Moon. Now this entry was my 2nd vase. The first one, one of the blooms dropped it's petals. About 5 am I looked for the substitute 3 and couldn't find them. I assumed, as with a lot of other blooms, I'd given them to the NDA for their display. It was only when I went round putting the cards out at 6 am that I found it. So in it went. Looking at the photo, the left hand bloom looks completely different to when I staged it. Some of the petals have tightened up. Very odd.  |
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 13:26:56 GMT
And now the miniatures and smalls, where I had the most success. Ryecroft Zoe came 1st in small semi cactus beating about 5 Oakwood goldcrest, and a few Kiwis. I think the judge must have given up on the goldcrests as they all looked the same and chose mine for it's colour  Mary's Jomanda came first out of god knows how many others  Blyton Softer Gleam first, beating mainly Jomandas. This one has probably been the best performing dahlia this year. Been immaculate all the way through  and the other entries  3 vases of small/miniature cactus/semi cactus came first, beating 9 kiwis and 3 vases of miniatures as shown. Used 6 ruskin andrea and 3 zoe.  Miniature dec, Loretta came 3rd  3 vases of 3 min decs came 2nd to 9 barbarry pip as shown From bottom Barbarry Pip, Ryecroft Jan, Loretta  and finally the bronze medal winner, 3 vases small decs, Senzoe Ursula, Winholme Diane and Brenda T  Really pleased with this one as I got to show senzoe in all it's glory. |
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 13:57:16 GMT
and finally a few random displays. This was the NDS display, a few of mine ended up here  Some ended up in these baskets   and about 100 ended up here   |
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Post by sweetpea on Aug 18, 2013 16:52:02 GMT
WOW! Great result.
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Post by Tel on Aug 18, 2013 16:54:20 GMT
Well done scrumpy.I will be seeing you at harrogate then you never know . If I can get anything I will enter in the under 200 plants sectionScrumpy, you will have to have a re-think on that. The under 100 and 200 plants has been dropped from the Harrogate schedule this year mate.  |
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Post by scrumpy on Aug 18, 2013 17:10:34 GMT
Yes, had a quick look at the schedule and spotted that, so novice section it would have to be |
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Post by Moonlight on Aug 18, 2013 22:19:56 GMT
3 vases of small/miniature cactus/semi cactus came first, beating 9 kiwis and 3 vases of miniatures as shown. Used 6 ruskin andrea and 3 zoe.
Scrumpy, Not wishing to look really stupid but what variety are the middle top and bottom? |
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Post by steve2t on Aug 18, 2013 22:57:40 GMT
Anyway, the show itself was an amazing experience and it was nice to talk to some proper growers Scrumpy IS a proper grower  I think you should consider Wisley and Harrogate next year!!!!! Terrific blooms!!!!!!!!!!! Well done, both of you!
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