Greetings from Toronto, Ontario, where as I write this on October
31st we have just had a temperature of 58 degrees fahrenheit possibly
the last of our Indian Summer. All the tubers are dug and as is
my practice on drying tables waiting for division in two or three
days. Beginning with this year planting on May 20th and 22nd in
a very warm spring and early summer. Good growth to approximately
16” by July 10th in my sandy soil had my hopes at peak. Temperatures
continued to climb and so did most growth. Cocoa bean mulch to
a depth of two inches managed to keep the soil fairly cool and
held the moisture in the ground. I normally fertilize with a half
strength solution of Phostrogen and a Kelp trace element on a
15 day cycle. Foliage remained healthy with no signs of virus
or insect problems. I feel the Kelp deters some insect damage
and use it as a foliar feed and in granular form as a slow release
fertilizer at the rate of one cup per plant every thirty days.
However by July 8th our temperatures were in the high SO’s
and for three weeks remained so with no rain of consequence. Some
of the giants and large varieties showed signs of stress during
this period. First blooms were a New Zealand variety Longwood
Dainty, orange miniature waterlily form of about 1¾”
across by 1” deep; followed by a Japanese medium semi-cactus
Yukiguni Dayeir 7¼”x6¾” that stays clean
and white and then Perle of Heemstede; Royal Amethyst; Fern Irene
and Cream Beauty all within three days.
It was at this time I left Toronto for the Pacific Coast for a
five week judging stint. For the most part, the blooms were on
the small side due to the lack of rain with a heavy concentration
of fimbriated varieties. Marlene Joy, a white lavender edged medium
being judged the Show’s Best Bloom. Irene’s Pride, a
new S.C. bronze giant looks like an up-and-coiner with immaculate
blooms on strong stems or Elsie Huston, a stunning intense Rose
pink formal giant decorative another eye-catcher. Also of note
was a sport of Zorro. Huge blooms with evenly tipped white petals
with all its’ parents other show winning habits.
My English varieties Wanda’s Capella and Moonlight produced
huge blooms and while Coral Jupiter did not get into any shows
the huge perfect blooms on ram rod stems l2½”xll”
on average grown three up were the magnets of visitors. among
others in the eye catching group were Bill Holmberg, giant informal
decorative, orange; Belle of Barmera, giant informal decorative
in dark pink; Robert Moore, medium cactus fimbriated, dark pink;
Lois V, medium cactus fimbriated, yellow; Hamari Accord; L’Ancresse;
Ruskin Diane; Betty Bowen and Wootton Cupid to name but a few.
It seems no matter where or what country I have judged in or size
of show; be it Canada, New Zealand, U.S.A., England or Scotland
the growers, and bless them, their ladies and lady exhibitors
tend to make each and every show a pleasure long remembered. I
consider it a privilege to be in such august company and look
forward to each new season, with its unique conditions.
In closing let me wish each and every grower Championship blooms
and good health for the upcoming season.
See you in ‘93 at the International.
Jack Adams.