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Post by markb on Feb 5, 2013 18:33:49 GMT
Here are the top varieties at the National, Harrogate and the two combined. Based on 3 points for a first, 2 points for a 2nd and 1 point for a 3rd 
I didn't say anything before because I don't know what I am talking about and have never been to a National. Hi Moonlight, I think these variety rankings need to be taken with a pinch of salt. In the case of the Moonlights the results are slightly skewed because they are grown by some top growers in the north of Britain while the southern growers are turning more to Hillcrest Candy. Problem there is that a good proportion of northern growers did not attend the National at Shepton Mallet. As a novice it is really trial and error to find what grows well for you, and then keep improving that stock. But if you can grow a variety and win at your chosen shows then it doesn't really matter whether everyone grows it or only you! |
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Post by dcdahlia on Feb 5, 2013 19:14:25 GMT
Marks right moonlight after a while you get to know what grows best for you on your land and in your area.I can't grow the moonlights very well (might give eastwood one last try this season) but have found that I can grow ruskin michelle well it won't beat a good moonlight but it has managed to help me win 3 of the 5 silver and 1 of the 3 bronze medals I have won in the last three years.Likewise the dianes damp off to easily where I am so I have found I can grow joan walker well and it does'nt damp as easily as the dianes.Oakwood goldcrest is another one that is much easier to grow than the kiwis (national champion dave gillam grows it instead of kiwis).
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Post by Moonlight on Feb 5, 2013 21:35:52 GMT
Thank you, Sweetpea, MarkB, dcdahlia & Tel
I think I understand now.  moonlight i only started the begining of last year i dont show but i have them down the garden and am putting in the allotment i have had mixed results but i found it a great learning curve but with the advice i recieved from the likes of tel and othersi managed to muddle through ,this year will be the first time i have had a grean house and will be putting heating on at the end of this month no doubht i will be on here myself needing help you will gleam lots of information of everyone on here
Then I realised he expects me to start my tubers off! I was kinda expecting / hoping / relying on him doing it for me. I wanted to 'help' him in his greenhouse, so that he could show me what to do, so that I could learn for next year.
Obviously not, in at the deep end, sink or swim. It is all Dad's fault, he wanted me to order some dahlias from USA which got me looking which ended up with ordering some to and Downham Royal, then after that...............................
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Post by Moonlight on Feb 5, 2013 23:19:26 GMT
Tel I don't understand discussion in other thread about how Moonlights ('the Dianes, the Glorias, the Moonlights') dominate in the shows, if Cream Moonlight is 10th and Eastwood Moonlight is 21st in the joint?
I didn't say anything before because I don't know what I am talking about and have never been to a National. Hi Moonlight, I think these variety rankings need to be taken with a pinch of salt. In the case of the Moonlights the results are slightly skewed because they are grown by some top growers in the north of Britain while the southern growers are turning more to Hillcrest Candy. Problem there is that a good proportion of northern growers did not attend the National at Shepton Mallet. As a novice it is really trial and error to find what grows well for you, and then keep improving that stock. But if you can grow a variety and win at your chosen shows then it doesn't really matter whether everyone grows it or only you!
I've got coming:
Downham Royal Miniature Ball
Happy Halloween Miniature Decorative
Weston Pirate Miniature Cactus
Clearview Arlene Semi Cactus Large
Clearview Jenny Semi Cactus - Medium
I'm not growing any Moonlights going to leave them to the experts, people that know what they are doing. Me I am just going to try not to kill all the ones that I've got.
nb It would not surprise me if I got either the size or type wrong  . |
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Post by Geranium on Feb 6, 2013 7:48:17 GMT
This is the list of dahlias I've picked from the catalogue (so far!)
Anyone know them? I know Steve grows Roxy and I had that one before.
Karma Choc
Roxy
Blue Bayou (possibly) - or Que Sera.
Giraffe
Selina
I have David Howard in the propagator.
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Post by Lou78W on Feb 6, 2013 8:27:27 GMT
I only know Giraffe on your list Geranium. I tried it a year or so ago, without much success. I would say it is more of a novelty variety, very quiet colours, not a border plant in my view |
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Post by peony on Feb 6, 2013 13:50:12 GMT
This is the list of dahlias I've picked from the catalogue (so far!) Anyone know them? I know Steve grows Roxy and I had that one before. Karma Choc Roxy Blue Bayou (possibly) - or Que Sera. Giraffe Selina I have David Howard in the propagator. I've been growing Karma Choc for the last 2 years Geranium, I love the colour It had plenty of flowers the first year, not so many last year, probably because of the dreadful weather. The tuber is still tucked up in the greenhouse at the moment, I'll put it in the propagator later this month. |
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Post by Geranium on Feb 6, 2013 21:53:25 GMT
I only know Giraffe on your list Geranium. I tried it a year or so ago, without much success. I would say it is more of a novelty variety, very quiet colours, not a border plant in my view OK, thanks Lou - I'll cross that one off. Sue, I grew Karma Choc in 2011 - it only ever had one flower - then died.  Probably my fault! I suspect it was too crowded. |
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Post by mattolo on Feb 8, 2013 9:57:38 GMT
Hi! I am planning on growing some giant decoratives for the first time.I've just ordered these,
Elma e ,Hamari Gold,Hamari sunshine,Jocondo,Silver City,Zorro,Fairway Spur,Sir Alf Ramsey.
What do the more experienced growers think of these varieties?
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Post by mattolo on Feb 8, 2013 10:15:16 GMT
Was wondering if I could start a photo diary here of this seasons grow of the above varieties.Would I need to start a new thread?And how do you upload pictures?ps I have a flickr account.Many thanks.
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Post by Cherry on Feb 8, 2013 11:09:59 GMT
Members' Gardening Blogs would be a good place to write a diary with photographs of your dahlias and other subjects in the garden. The "How to" section, also on the home page, could be helpful for uploading.
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Post by Moonlight on Feb 8, 2013 12:05:15 GMT
Was wondering if I could start a photo diary here of this seasons grow of the above varieties.Would I need to start a new thread?And how do you upload pictures?ps I have a flickr account.Many thanks.
I've got a diary here in the Members' Gardening Blogs
I upload my photos on to my own website and just copy and paste the links here. I write my diary for me but I quite like it when other people comment because they have given me a lot of advice and when I make very silly mistakes I feel a tad less silly when I talk about them there. It is also nice to read back through past posts because I like to think it reminds me that I am getting better.
I know that Alf Ramsey is a very good variety, just scroll up this thread, Ted has put a very interesting photo up re. varieties.
If you do start a blog I am sure that it will be very interesting. |
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Post by mattolo on Feb 8, 2013 15:08:01 GMT
Thanks for the helpful information cherry and moonlight.:-) i'm just finding my way around this great forum.
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Post by laurapucp on Feb 10, 2013 21:12:04 GMT
Hi Mattolo, goog luck with your blog and the flowers....by the way i find your nickname Mattolo very funny  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 21:26:55 GMT
Is it me ? or are we getting an influx of female dahlia growing talent on this board.
What's that naff advert on the box ? ahhhhh uniformdating.com.
Perhaps Dahliadating.com would make a good new thread.
Mmmmmmmmm perhaps not. Forget I even mentioned it.
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. 
Probably my fault! I suspect it was too crowded.
