Post by (DahliaMan) Cornish Paul on May 14, 2011 16:10:09 GMT
I think a theme here is communication. Now if a supplier puts on their list something akin to 'we cannot supply unless you indicate substitutes' then excellent no problem with that. However if there is no indication and the parcel arrives with plants not ordered, year on year, then surely a phone call would be welcome. Regards Taylors this year, I ordered for mid April delivery. Frank rang me 29th March advising he had dahlias and could he deliver. I agreed, thanked him for call, and am happy to recommend based on the dahlias/packing/delivery/communication.
I always get my orders in early largely based on previous years dahlia findings such as where I know a variety is a poor cuttings maker. Regards spending money, I am always prepared to pay top dollar for quality, hence Halls. And why I am keen to hear from others regards their findings. But when a supplier sends plants with barely literally any roots then that plant dies within a couple of days having cost say £2 to £3 then I consider I have every right to complain.
As you may have realised the things that were said to me in relation to the 'vouchers' won as above, I find angers and saddens me to this day. I never blow my own trumpet, ever, preferring to say 'win some lose some'. However as I said to the nutter who said my winning was dubiousI dont neat to cheat and I put in lots time and effort and study regards dahlia exhibiting. Ive read many books, studied films, been self critical, and try to think like a National Exhibitor. One thing I can say is that John Wheatly told me in person 5 years ago how after winning best exhibit with the 3 x 3 Trelyn Kiwis, that my Trelyns were as good as any hed seen in the Country. Not for me to say but I've literally studied Kiwi Gloria and Trelyn Kiwi for 7 years until I think I got it right. And I continue to win with it. Word got back to me from a 'fellow' exhibitor some 3 years ago how I was winning County shows because the judge knew my vases! My club then spent several hundred pounds buying new vases so we are on a level playing field. Well Ive won our clubs Best Exhibit trophy for the preceeding 2 years, and believe me the competition here is a tight one. I love winning as a sign of effort put in, and I'm no mug when it comes to exhibiting dahlias. I've even practised vasing 'dummy' dahlias out of season using canes and cardboard flowers. And I learnt my art exhibiting others like 3 years on perpetual carnations.
I hate the jealousy that can be apparent unfortunately in my hobby, bearing in mind the fact how Ive been prepared to put in so much time studying, and listening. Ive put all my methods on my website so I certainly am guarding nothing. As Ive said before when Ive heard of 'local' backstabbing "all I want to do is put 5, 3 or 1 flower in a vase, thats all".
Last January was a good example where a job was to be done on time in the January garden, it poured down and I was drenched but carried on. Its that dedication that means an exhibitor deserves to be successful.
Sorry for the rant but it maddens me!
Yours, Paul
I always get my orders in early largely based on previous years dahlia findings such as where I know a variety is a poor cuttings maker. Regards spending money, I am always prepared to pay top dollar for quality, hence Halls. And why I am keen to hear from others regards their findings. But when a supplier sends plants with barely literally any roots then that plant dies within a couple of days having cost say £2 to £3 then I consider I have every right to complain.
As you may have realised the things that were said to me in relation to the 'vouchers' won as above, I find angers and saddens me to this day. I never blow my own trumpet, ever, preferring to say 'win some lose some'. However as I said to the nutter who said my winning was dubiousI dont neat to cheat and I put in lots time and effort and study regards dahlia exhibiting. Ive read many books, studied films, been self critical, and try to think like a National Exhibitor. One thing I can say is that John Wheatly told me in person 5 years ago how after winning best exhibit with the 3 x 3 Trelyn Kiwis, that my Trelyns were as good as any hed seen in the Country. Not for me to say but I've literally studied Kiwi Gloria and Trelyn Kiwi for 7 years until I think I got it right. And I continue to win with it. Word got back to me from a 'fellow' exhibitor some 3 years ago how I was winning County shows because the judge knew my vases! My club then spent several hundred pounds buying new vases so we are on a level playing field. Well Ive won our clubs Best Exhibit trophy for the preceeding 2 years, and believe me the competition here is a tight one. I love winning as a sign of effort put in, and I'm no mug when it comes to exhibiting dahlias. I've even practised vasing 'dummy' dahlias out of season using canes and cardboard flowers. And I learnt my art exhibiting others like 3 years on perpetual carnations.
I hate the jealousy that can be apparent unfortunately in my hobby, bearing in mind the fact how Ive been prepared to put in so much time studying, and listening. Ive put all my methods on my website so I certainly am guarding nothing. As Ive said before when Ive heard of 'local' backstabbing "all I want to do is put 5, 3 or 1 flower in a vase, thats all".
Last January was a good example where a job was to be done on time in the January garden, it poured down and I was drenched but carried on. Its that dedication that means an exhibitor deserves to be successful.
Sorry for the rant but it maddens me!
Yours, Paul
....glad to hear it Paul... ;D
