THE GROWING WORLD OF DAHLIAS

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NDS JUDGING RULES IN THE UK

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

The judging of dahlias is not and cannot be an exact science and so, as a decision must often rest on the judge's personal knowledge and experience, he must take care that in arriving at his decision he is not swayed by his personal dislikes or preferences, whether for cultivars, colours, formation or for any other reason.

It is the duty of all who judge dahlias to acquire a thorough knowledge of all the various groups, their habits of growth. and the formation of their blooms.

All judges must deal fairly and impartially with any infringement of the rules, the show regulations, and all schedule and local requirements of the organisation whose competitive classes are being judged.

The judges should look for perfection in each bloom, and when a assessing its true merits, the quality i.e. formation, centre, freshness colour and stem, should be regarded as factors of paramount importance; and then, all imperfections, defects and blemishes, termed faults should be considered as items detracting from the merits of the exhibit.

A fault may be minor or serious, in accordance with the circumstances, or the extent, to which it is present in the exhibit and few hard and fast rules can be laid down to deal with each of them. It is a serious fault for an exhibition bloom to be badly bruised or malformed or for a double-flowered cultivar to have an open centre, but whereas a damaged, eaten, or malformed floret at the rear of the bloom does little to detract from its beauty and overall perfection, that same defect on the face of the bloom, one which mars its beauty, would be considered a very serious fault.

All faults should therefore be carefully assessed and placed within a true perspective in relation to the exhibit as a whole.

In the case of giant-flowered cultivars the blooms should be as large as possible in diameter and depth, provided the size is not obtained at the expense of quality.

AT ALL TIMES THE QUALITY OF A BLOOM MUST BE THE FIRST AND CHIEF CONSIDERATION, AND MUST OVERRIDE MERE SIZE.

All exhibits must be judged as seen at the time of judging and not as they possibly were, or might become.

All dahlias exhibited in competitive classes must be qualified for the classes in which they are shown, by Classification, Formation or Size.

Dahlias included in the current issue of the National Dahlia Society's Classified Directory of Dahlias are "Classified cultivars" and may only be exhibited in the classes for which they have been classified.

An unclassified cultivar should conform with the formation and size, relative to the class in which it is exhibited, and shall be judged on the same basis as a classified cultivar.

An unclassified cultivar which fails to conform to the correct formation of the class in which it is exhibited SHALL NOT BE DISQUALIFIED.

The sizes shown in the internationally recognised Group Classification , Formation and Sizes are an indication for garden purposes of the size of blooms obtainable from dahlias grown under reasonably good conditions, and dahlia cultivars are classified accordingly.

Well cultivated plants grown for exhibition, with superior culture or grown in more favourable soil or climatic conditions, may produce larger blooms and it is not intended that cultivation for exhibition purposes should be discouraged or that larger blooms be penalised solely because of their size, but it is considered essential, to ensure fair competition and standardisation that size limits be set for each class of dahlia.

Exhibition standards have, therefore, been adopted and blooms exceeding the maximum sizes for the class in which they are exhibited must be disqualified. This applies equally to classified and unclassified cultivars.

 DISQUALIFICATION

Exhibits must be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

1. Blooms of Large-Flowered dahlias exceeding 260 mm. (10.25in.)

Blooms of Medium-flowered dahlias exceeding 220 mm. (8.75in.).

Blooms of Small-flowered dahlias exceeding 170 mm. (6.75in.).

Blooms of Miniature-flowered dahlias exceeding 115 mm (4.5in.).

Blooms of Pompon dahlias exceeding 52 mm. (2in.).

2. Blooms artificially supported above the top level of the vase. It should be noted that an artificial support warranting disqualification should be an internal or external support, supporting a weak stem. Pieces of material normally used for packing purposes found above the level of the vase, e.g. oasis, pieces of stalk ,and paper shall not be a reason for disqualification. Note: If an exhibitor has used internal artificial support above the top level of the vase and it is confirmed, the matter shall be dealt with by the Affiliated Society Committee responsible for the show.

3. Incorrect number of blooms in an exhibit.

4. Classified blooms exhibited in wrong class.

5. If a vase in a multi-vase exhibit should be N.A.S., then the whole exhibit must be disqualified. The whole exhibit cannot be considered for an award, but awards to individual vases, other than the disqualified vase, are permitted (e.g. Best vase in its group in that exhibit).

6. All exhibitors are reminded that all buds, whether embryo or showing colour, will be treated as blooms and will result in disqualification under rule 3 if not removed.

IDEALS

The following ideals are set out and are to be used as a standard:

The blooms should be fresh and clean, all florets should be intact, firm and without blemish or defect. The colour or colours should be clear and well defined, and either consistent or evenly shaded or tipped, throughout the bloom.

(a) Decorative, Cactus and Semi-Cactus Dahlias

1. The ideal bloom of a double-flowered dahlia should be symmetrical in all respects, and the outline should be perfectly circular.

2. It should have a firm, circular, closed centre which should be proportionate to the size of the flower.

3. The bloom should be "full", i.e. it should, without overcrowding, have sufficient florets to prevent gaps in formation and outline, and to give depth to the bloom which should be approximately two-thirds, or more, of the diameter.

4. Double-flowered dahlias, other than pompons, should be poised at an angle of not less than 45 degrees to the stem.

5. The stem should be straight and of a length and thickness proportionate to the size of the bloom.

6. The general formation of blooms and their florets should correspond to the standards laid down for that particular group of dahlia.

(b) Ball Dahlias

1. All ball dahlias should be ball-shaped but the tendency towards flatness on the face of the larger cultivars may be tolerated and a reasonable latitude may be allowed.

2. The florets should be symmetrically arranged and should dress back to the stem to complete the ball shape of the bloom. The florets should be compact and dense at the centre.

3. Ball dahlias should be poised at an angle of not less than 45 degrees to the stem.

4. The stems should be straight and of a length and thickness proportionate to the size of the bloom.

(c) Waterlily Dahlias

1. A waterlily dahlia should be fully double and the face view should be circular in outline and regular in arrangement.

2. It should have a firm, circular, closed centre which should be proportionate to the size of the bloom.

3. The depth should be approximately half the diameter of the bloom.

4. Waterlily dahlias should be poised at an angle of not less than 45 degrees to the stem.

5. The stem should be straight and of a length and thickness proportionate to the size of the bloom.

(d) Pompon Dahlias

1. A Pompon dahlia should be perfectly globular. The florets should be involute for the whole of their length, be evenly, and symmetrically arranged throughout the bloom and should dress back fully to the stem.

2. Blooms of Pompon dahlias should face upwards on a straight, firm stem.

(e) Single and Collerette Dahlias

1. The outer florets of Single and Collerette dahlias may vary in number from eight upwards, they may overlap, but must not assume double formation. They should be equal in shape, size and formation and should radiate evenly and regularly away from the central disc in a single flat plane. The outer edges of these florets may be rounded or pointed.

2. The inner florets or collar of Collerettes should be uniform in size. They should be symetrical and not less than one third of the length of the outer florets, even in colour and formation.

3. The central disc should be flat and circular, and should not contain more than two rows of pollen-bearing stamens.

4. The blooms should be poised at an angle of 45 degrees on a stem which should be straight and proportionate to the size of the bloom

(f) Anemone-flowered Dahlias

1. The group of tubular florets which comprises the centre of the bloom should be circular in outline, close and compact.

2. The outer ray florets should be equal in shape, size and formation, generally flat, and regularly arranged around the central florets.

3. The blooms should be poised at an angle of 45 degrees on a stem which should be straight and proportionate to the size of the bloom.

(g) Miscellaneous Dahlias

1. Blooms in the exhibit shall be similar in size and formation.

2. Blooms should be poised at an angle of not less than 45 degrees on a stem which should be straight and proportionate to the size of the bloom.

(h) Fimbriated Dahlias

1. A fimbriated dahlia should be a fully double bloom. The petals should be split or notched, uniformly throughout the bloom, to create a fringed overall effect.

2. The petals may be flat, involute, revolute, straight, incurving or twisted.

3. Blooms should be poised at an angle of not less than 45 degrees on a stem which should be straight and proportionate to the size of the bloom.

(i) Cut Flowers

1. It is important that blooms be presented on firm wiry stems and with proportionate foliage that enhances the blooms.

2. Stems which are bent, weak, short jointed or out of proportion to the blooms comprise a serious fault.

3. Bright attractive colour and blends should be regarded as meritorious.

(j) Staging of Exhibits

1. An exhibit of dahlias should be arranged so that all the blooms face in the same direction, are clear of each other, and staged so that a pleasant and balanced exhibit is achieved.

2. All blooms should be staged with some dahlia foliage, preferably on the stem. The foliage should be clean, healthy and undamaged.

3. It is recommended that names of all cultivars, in an exhibit, should be clearly and correctly stated, EXCEPT IN SEEDLING CLASSES.

4. The use of blocks is permitted.

FAULTS

1. As a general principle anything which detracts from the perfection of a bloom, or an exhibit, is a "fault" and the seriousness or otherwise of the fault depends upon the degree of imperfection. In judging an exhibit the following faults must be evaluated accordingly.

2. It is a VERY SERIOUS fault if a bloom:

(a) is malformed

(b) faces downwards

(c) has been badly damaged

(d) has limp drooping florets

(e) has had an excessive number of florets removed

(f) has an open (daisy-eyed) centre (double-flowered cultivars only)

(g) has a centre which is hard and green, large and undeveloped or badly distorted

(h) has a gap created by a missing outer floret (this refers to Groups 1-3 only)

(i) seriously departs from the standard formation of the group of dahlia for which the class calls.

3. Faults of a LESSER DEGREE, in accordance with the amount by which the fault detracts from the perfection of a bloom, are as follows:

(a) oval, sunken or isolated centres

(b) irregular or oval outline of bloom

(c) uneven, irregular, or unbalanced formation

(d) florets lacking freshness or which are bleached, discoloured, faded, eaten, bruised, malformed or otherwise blemished

(e) where florets have been removed

(f) stems which are bent, weak, short jointed, thick and out of proportion

(g) uneven or inconsistent colouring, but this does not apply to bi-coloured blooms

(h) shallow blooms, i.e. those lacking depth or fullness (with the exclusion of Groups 1, 3 and 4)

(i) blooms which are either immature or past their best

(j) presence of pests.

4. Angle of Blooms

(a) Blooms of pompon dahlias should face upwards on a straight firm stem and any variation of this must be regarded as a fault.

(b) When several blooms are shown together in an exhibit. it is a fault for them to face at different angles.

 CLASSES FOR NEW SEEDLING

Seedlings with new, pleasing formations, colour or colours; considered to be an improvement on established cultivars of similar formation shall be considered meritorious. Exhibits may be judged for exhibition or garden merit, and although these classes need not necessarily be judged to exhibition standards the basic ideals and faults, as detailed in Ideals and Faults, must be observed. The quality of blooms, as defined in the General Introduction, remains the chief consideration. A seedling Should conform with the formation and size relative to the class in which it is exhibited and shall be judged for potential. EXHIBITS MUST NOT BE NAMED UNTIL JUDGING HAS TAKEN PLACE.

EVALUATION OF MULTI-VASE EXHIBITS

The following recommendations are included as guidance to the judging of exhibits containing more than one classification of dahlias.

1. Examine all entries to confirm that they comply with the Schedule and contain no factors requiring disqualification.

2. Evaluation. The first classification of dahlias is to be judged. A selected vase of a high standard/quality being awarded a mark out of 30. This becomes the Standard Vase for all exhibits in the class and should be used as a reference/benchmark for the class. (It need not necessarily be the best or highest pointed vase in the class).

3. Taking the next classification to be judged, the vases are then judged with reference being made to the Standard Vase. Assessment and marking should reflect consistency and quality of exhibits.

4. All remaining classifications should be judged similarly. Like must be judged against like at all times and any single-vase entries of a classification being judged against the Standard Vase.

5. When all classifications are judged and marked, the evaluation cards are totalled and a check must be made to confirm that all vases/classifications have been judged. The highest accumulative marks obtained determine the placing.

6. If desired, this system may be used for judging multi-vase exhibits of the same classification.

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    Last updated: February 06, 2003.