Dahlia Blooms

That looks a nice Karenglen.

I know what Tel is on about with regards to colours. Been trying the last few days to get photos to match the first blooms i've cut and finally got something close this evening.

At the back, Ruskin Bride and 2 Dikara Moon.
In front Barabarry Melody and Gilwood Terry G




and a close up of Gilwood.



Now those colours are pretty close to what they should be.
The angles are a bit deceptive though as the ones in the front are smalls but look as big as the mediums. They aren't

Melody shows the very high petal count it has and lovely colour. The back is just as symmetrical as the front. It is a perfect ball shape and strong stems. Much better than last year.

Gilwood, first time i've grown it and that bloom is just a fraction too big. It's a strange one to grow. Plant is very compact, doesn't give off many laterals, but by a bit of hit and miss with it, have got between 5 and 8 laterals growing on the plants, which produce a reasonable length of stem. It starts off almost yellow and as it develops changes colour from the base to an orangey colour that tightens up nicely, but still quite broad at the centre, with a yellowish centre. Got a great shape and depth....that one hasn't a petal out of place. And it has survived a fair few heavy showers.
Definitely worth another go next year and if I can get 5 in a vase they will look superb.

Dikara Moon has been grown between 6 and 8 up, and has got to a good size and depth with little effort. I'm sure given a bit of decent soil that will hit the ring easily.

Ruskin Bride, nice for the garden and local show I think.
Good size and depth, but could do with a few extra rows of petals on it I think for real exhibition work. Grows very tall, again short on laterals, most of the plants produced 4, so i've grown off 2 side buds off each of them.


PS,
I must also thank GIMP.
This is what the first photo looked like before editing with GIMP.

Marion Storer looks a real exhibitionist Tel. You could dare to be different and show it.

I love the colours on Heather Jean and the contrasting centre

Just seen the same pic on facebook. ;D

tel ur ruskin respectable looks good am lookin forward to goin to the harrogate show next week my pal recons i will enjoy it

A lovely selection Richard