Alloway Candy

Now that my Annual Plant Sale is in the rearview mirror, I am now free to get caught up on the planting of the dahlias, and for the first time this year, some exhibition varieties of Chrysanthemums. Got a lot of great help on the chrysanth side from Roy Fox, in rounding up cultivars, and with information on their care. I also got help from Al Dormer, helping me to get just the right watering, and at the right time. Also for acquiring the right sized pots for potting-on, and showing me how that task is best done. What these two don't know about growing chrysanthemums isn't worth knowing!

A couple of dahlias did not flower for me in 2007, but the plants did make nice tubers, so I'm hoping for blooms on K-Andy (dark red & white colarette) and Lismore Moonlight (yellow pom) this year. Im also hoping for a better showing from a nice little BB Formal Dec called Lupin Ben, a yellow bloom with red variegation, reminiscent of the cultivar Gloriosa grown/shown by Robert Young last year. I also chose to exit some cultivars from last year so I would have room for more of my favourites from last year, such as Valley Porcupine, Alloway Candy, Camano Sitka, Corn Supreme, Elma Elizabeth, Elsie Huston, Hy Mallow, Mary's Jomanda, and Pam Howden, Sylvia J., and Santa Claus to name a few. Also got a Cinnabar (grown 2007 by Ross Harrison) at one of the plant auctions, and found that it would split into two, so even a better deal. Combine that with about 15 new dahlia cultivars I purchased, it should be an interesting year.

The one to which I am looking forward with the greatest anticipation, is Newaukum Honey, a new cultivar hybridized by Wayne Lobaugh, sold through Dan's Dahlias, USA., and just released for 2008. I bought two tubers, and while one appears to be blind, the other has a shoot a half-inch long. Can hardly wait!

You might like a peek at the picture I 'borrowed' from the ADS site..... I think you will agree it holds a lot of promise. It is ADS rated as a BB ID OR OR5, Class 323, although it makes me think 'stellar' for shape. Somewhat similar in shape to Santa Claus, but a bit more regular, more formal. So many varieties, so little time!

To learn more about these dahlia varieties below, I encourage you to look at the new American Dahlia Society website. They have an excellent classification guide, and info on on top blooms in the shows

If you have questions on how to grow these beauties, you will find lots of helpful information on the Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society site

Murray Thompson, Whitby, Ontario.

My Cultivars from 2007