Mr. Jack Gott and his winning set of Small Water lily dahlias.
HARROGATE HEIGHTS
Jack thought he was finished for the season - the plants had other ideas
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Mr. Jack Gott and his winning set of Small Water lily dahlias. |
The last time I spoke to Jack his words were " That last lot wiped me out - that's me until 2011" I to had been hard hit by heavy rain and high winds in late September the same as most - when Jack's latest email hit my in tray I was surprised, especially when I knew what he'd achieved. Best set of 3 x 5 small water lily dahlias for starters left me with my mouth open - this is Indian country of the feathered variety, and they take no prisoners. I'll show you the three vases on their own before I move on.
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| One perfect set, and I believe me not a new variety in sight - proving how good they were in the first place. |
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Jimmy Higinbottom one of the best small cactus men in England - with a pedigree as long as your arm. |
Everyone knows Harrogate's is a place where at this time of the year - it takes a very good grower to nick the silverware at a place where everyone wants to win. So when Jack told me two of his best mates had done well, and would I like to add them to his winning ways page who was I to argue. Jimmy Higinbottom one of the best small cactus growers won the two vase class with Debra's Kiwi at the top, and Kiwi Gloria at the bottom - this vase went on to win not only the best small cactus in the show, but the best cactus, and best vase of dahlias in the show - what an achievement for one vase of dahlias - that's what you call stock selection.
It doesn't stop there - his other best mate Bryan Warrener's exhibit won best exhibit in show which is shown below - must be something they all drink - be great to see them on a dahlia Master Mind.
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Bryan's top vase in this winning set was Kenora Challenger, the next Grenadore Pastelle, and the bottom vase Ruskin Diane. Followed up by five glorious Kiwi Gloria, and five blooms of Mary's Jomanda of equal merit. Fair makes your mouth water just looking at them eh?
The Kiwi Gloria went on to win best small cactus, and also best vase in the show - lucky? I don't think so. This was the last show for Bryan as he is going to concentrate on breeding dahlias, so he's gone out on a high - as he also won the best exhibit at the Scottish National show in 2010. It seems you dahlia enthusiasts will have to watch out for the name Bryan Warrener on any new releases in the next few years - I wouldn't put it past this expert to have the odd super seedling up his sleeve already - would you?
Before I move back to the Cumbria wizard I'd better move on to the next page before this one explodes.
