On 11/2/09 23:08, in article
, "Judith
in France" wrote:

On Feb 11, 10:29*pm, Sacha wrote:
On 11/2/09 22:25, in article , "Mel"

wrote:
I know nothing about dahlias, but I fancy growing some this year to enter in
the local village show, but only for a bit of fun, nothing serious.

Ask the show secretary what the schedule names as the different classes.



Is there a difference between exhibition dahlias and dahlias that you buy at
the garden centre (such as the Taylors' bulb packs), or does it not really
matter?

I know it's only for fun, but I don't want to look too much of an idiot!

One of urg's members, David Hill, is a Dahlia specialist and owns a nursery
in Wales.

--
Sachahttp://www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
Perennials & shrubs online

I grow Dahlias, I'm not an expert by any means but I do read up on
them and I have great success maybe this is where Mel should start
before wanting to display in a village show. Maybe try some this year
and then next year show the best of what he considers were a success
this year?

Judith

It really does depend on the schedule and its requirements, I think. Our
village show where the top prize is probably all of about 75p has fairly
simple guidelines such as 3 dahlias in a vase, or something of that sort.
But if it's a bigger show and a bit fancier he might be wise learning a bit
first. However, as he says only for fun the usual criteria for winning
prizes at shows is to have the best shaped, unblemished example of
whatever-it-is. With Dahlias it's probably important to keep e.g.slugs and
earwigs away from them, for example.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
Perennials & shrubs online