Preparing for dahlia day

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 575, 28 February 1995, Page 8

Preparing for dahlia day

The fourth annual dahlia show is to be held in the Lion' s Den in Arawa Street Ohakune this Saturday, 4 March. Here's hoping that the recent heavy rain has not flattened all our dahlias which have had a hard time surviving the late frosts. If you want those good blooms for the dahlia show a little attention will help. Usually you find that special bloom you have waited

for will be at its best either a week before the show or a week afterwards, so examine your plants now to select a good strong bud just starting to show colour on one or more stems . Remo ve all other buds on that stem so that your chosen bud is not competing for nourishment. A folia feed of a preparation such as Nitrosol or Yates Lush will be of benefit and, most important,

keep away those insects which are likely to chew a hole in the petals of your prize bloom. Earwigs are one of the main offenders and there are plenty of those about this year. Spray your plants with a garden spray which contains an additive to deal with earwigs and take care to. remove all weeds which are harbouring these pests just waiting to attack from around the base of the plants.

Should the weather become hot and dry , especially if accompanied by drying wind, make sure your plants receive adequate water. Y our selected blooms for the show are best gathered after sundown in the evening before you need them or before sunrise in the morning. As soon as possible after the flowers have been picked immerse the base of the stems in very hot water for about one minute and then transfer to a vase or container of tepid water. For the purposes of judging, the different types of dahlias are divided into classes. Briefly these are decorative dahlias which are fully double flowers with broad flat florets pointed towards the tips. These vary from giant-sized blooms down to the tiny miniatures. For show purposes the bloom should show an enclosed centre. Cactus type dahlias are fully double with convoluted tube-like florets. The blooms also must show an enclosed centre. In ponpon dahlias the tiny florets are uni form o ver the head to form a complete ball and these should extend over the back of the head to the calyx where the

flower head joins the stem. To qualify as a true ponpon the head should not exceed two inches in diameter. Ball dahlias are a larger version of the ponpon and should meet the same criteria. Collarette dahlias are a single variety with eight or more petals, showing a distinctive collar of tiny florets around the central stamens. When showing dahlias of all types the head of the bloom must face forward. A schedule showing the various classes of dahlias and giving the details of entry can be obtained from Kunikraft in Ohakune and Mclean's Bookshop in Raetihi. Bring your dahlias along to the show. Don't worry if you are unsure into which classes your blooms should be entered as there will be stewards there to help you. If you have no dahlias to enter in the show, which opens to the public at 1 2.30pm (entry free), come .along and enjoy the wonderful display of these lovely flowers. There will be raffles, a saies table with garden plants and other goodies and afternoon tea will be available. We will all be there to enjoy ourselves.