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"upward curl" is not correct term. Dahlia ray florets are either revolute or involute. Cactus dahlias have revolute florets. Orchids have involute florets. But let me agree with you at least partially. Stellar dahlias have florets that are partially involute. Orchid dahlias have petals that are mostly involute. So if, the petals on Vista Minnie are mostly involute, it is a double orchid. As I look at it, I see less than "mostly involute" and it would be stellar. The irregular, wavy florets on Vista Minnie are a fault for show flowers but look great on a cut flower. Perhaps we need a new class called informal decorative stellars. I would be a proponent of including all types of flowers that have wavy, twisty, florets as informal decorative. Who cares what basic form it is when what you like is the twist, wavy form? Currently for example, if a semi cactus has twisted petals, it remains in semi cactus.
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
I ordered my Vista Minnie from Les Connell, so we will see how it does. Anyone else have one from him?
Gee, I hope mine is healthy but thanks for the warning. I will watch it closely.
I propose a new classification all to itself, where the novelty blooms submitted be judged for presentation and uniqueness, not how well they fit IN a box, but how well they stand OUT of the box. The judges would be instructed to change their thinking a bit, which might be refreshing. Making more boxes to fit the in-between forms is crazy, and a line has to be drawn somewhere!
Of course, I'm sure ADS will jump on that proposal and embrace it whole-heartedly!
My point about informal decorative is that it is stupid to over define them. The word informal is good enough. The idea for classification is to put dahlias into categories so that they can be placed on the show tables and be judged. Right now there are so few informal decoratives in miniature and BB and other size classes(except giant where there are plenty)that there is wasted table space. Why have the definition of informal decorative the way it is if nothing fits into the classes? If people grow them because they are pretty and make good cutflowers, why not have classes for them in the shows? They do not want new classifications as there are so many already, so why not use the one we already have?
We like to place a sign on our porch that says: We are in the garden. Really, we are always in the garden.
I trialled River's Purple Pinwheel for Eugene. It is an outstanding flower both for show and cut. Very prolific bloomer, and show winner. Mop on a stick? I think not.
RPP grows to about 3 1/2' and is bushy. Nice long stems for cutting, good vase life. Looks fantastic when paired with Elsie Huston. :-)
I grew this for two years, and the quality was consistent.
You know, Yours look better then I ever saw them look at our trial garden! Yours really look like pinwheels! Its neat getting to see how they look in different places!
OH MY! It looks like a Christmas Star! I think that would be lovely in my garden! How tall is it growing? I hope this one survives the evaluation process.So is this one in its second year or how far along the process is it?
This was its first year. One of the handful of seedlings that survived the cut. Out of a couple hundred seedlings, we kept about 12. The others are recognized forms: informal decorative, orchids, stellars, etc.
Another novelty seedling I was trialing for someone else that didn't make the cut: the centers tend to be open until later in the year. I'm going to keep it (have permission from the hybridizer), but not sell it. When the centers are closed, it is beautiful. I've named it "Anonymous D".
Sorry, the photos were taken with my cell phone, so I apologize for the poor quality. The color is actually a nice burnt orange with just a hint of lavender..
What a shame that one won't make it! Gorgeous colors and I love the wavy petals on it! That one would be a heart breaker for sure! I can see why you asked to keep it. I would pay good money for one that looks like your last photo of it if you knew it was good for a whole season.
Very nice, Kim! Please let us know what it is when you can.
