Show classes

[Moonlight]

I don't really know how to phrase this without potentially offending anyone but here goes.

Which classes are most popular in the shows? and which are the classes which attract the most entries?

Are there particular varieties that dominate in particular classes and vice versa classes that are so wide open that it is impossible to predict which varieties could do well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd always seemed to change each year?

Together with which classes seem to be least popular, attracting less entries?

I didn't even realise that there were Bi-colour classes, in my head I had just imagined / assumed that they were size / classification type with championships being combinations of the above / seedling and the flower arrangement style of exhibiting.

If a dahlia has a colour blend or blush like a Brenda T or a Ryecroft Zoe is that a Bi-colour?
Are varieties deemed Bi-colour limited to only Bi-colour classes in the bigger shows?
Is Weston Spanish Dancer considered a dahlia for a Bi-colour class or are they looking for something totally different that I just don't understand?

I can ask my Dad of course but I am interested on hearing from people who have recent experience and my Dad would probably be interested to hear himself.

Also is the North South Divide really such a big deal across the aboard or are there some universal varieties?

Probably too many questions for 1 post but I thought I would ask.

[Raymond]

Hi Moonlight lots of interesting questions and many I would ask myself.

Bi colour I have a soft spot for I do love them . They can be shown in say a medium semi cactus class eg kenora sunset but due to its problem matching colour is usually only used in bi colour class. Def of bicolour and variegated from classified directory is

Cultivars in which the ground colour is tipped striped or splashed with another colour.

Weston Spanish dancer and carols Spanish dancer both classed as bi colour . 

Regarding blended it says 

Cultivars in which two or more colours are intermingled and gradually merge into each other and are not provided for in the other colour division. There are many blended. 

I was warned off growing moonlights this far south not one was shown in kent. Yet it was raised in Essex ! Lol

Some dahlias like the candys , dianes seem to be universal. Certain poms like Rhonda I was told have centre issues in the south. The best kiwis are usually from the north eg Frankie Fraser.

It is very interesting topic. I am sure ian Tel scrumpy @iank dcdahlia etc... Will give more info. 

[scrumpy]

The best Kiwis would be from Shropshire. Trouble is, I don't grow them

[ian]

Hehe I can send you tubers Graham then you can show us

[scrumpy]

Marks out of 10 please

If only I had had covers for them.

[Ian k]

Scrumpy what a lovely set of Kiwis,I think you should consider putting up covers are they grown outside

[scrumpy]

All my small and miniature dahlias are grown outside without covers. Those were from 8 years ago when we had a summer with no rain. Never did get them as good as that year again, so stopped them and grew more weatherproof varieties.