November 3rd Barnsley Show

I made an entry at Barnsley show in the 3 large and or medium exhibition class, There were 3 entries in the class and I was beaten by Terry Wombell (National Medium Exhibition Bloom Champion), so I was happy with this result.

October 30th, 31st Update & Doncaster Show

This weekend brought my societys (Doncaster & DistrictChrysanthemum Society) show. I managed to cut 4 flowers, 3 x bronze gigantics and 1 x Elizabeth Shoesmith which I entered 2 x bronze gigantis and 1 x Elizabeth Shoesmith in the 3 large exhibition bloom class and the other bronze gigantic went in the single large exhibition bloom class.

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My single bloom entry was awarded best large or medium exhibition bloom in the show. I was over the moon as it was my first show and to walk away with that award was amazing.

A few photos of the show

Above the novice classes, very well supported

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As you can see its was a great show with some very good growers exhiting, Gorden Kirby, Rodger Brownbridge, Albert Teather & Barry Hogg to name just a few.

My thanks to all exhibitors for making this one of the best late shows I have seen at Doncaster.

October 7ths Update

Blooms were opening very slowly at this stage

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Weekly Update

From now on I will be posting pictures so you can see the blooms develope.

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Dukes.......................................Mystery Flower

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Gigantics.................................Elizabeth Shoesmith

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Phils..............................................Lanc Lad & Jessies

One Week On

My plants have been housed for about a week so I thought I'd put a couple of pics up to show how they are developing.

I Thought I'd leave the plants with full light as they were housed early so I will be putting the shading up this weekend to prevent any damage / scorching of the blooms as they develop.

Phils

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Gigantics...................................General shot

Housing Time Comes Early

Well I was planning on housing on the 18th September but due to the recent strong winds and heavy rain I have brought the plants in just over a week early. Some of the plants have took a battering but at least they are safe and away from the elements now.

Every plant was brought in to the greenhouse and then sprayed with a mix of 2 insecticides and a fungicide to make sure no nasties were fetched in to the greenhouse.

In the greenhouse I have 3 fans and a dehumidifier running 24hrs a day, the fans help to keep the air moving around the plants and the dehumidifier is set to 75% humidity this will help me to flower the plants at a lower temperature and is drained directly outside so there is no chance of it switching off with a full water tank.

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Time to Bag

The calyx on some of my Phils has split so it was out with the insecticide a quick spray around the bud and neck and on with a bud bag. The bags I have used are 12"x12" greaseproof bags, I put one bag inside another for extra protection, the reason I have used large bags and not the 7"x7" bag is that the bud will be in the bag for about 2 1/2 weeks so it has got plenty of room to develop.


As the rest of the calyx split on other plants I will bag them just the same, all bags will be removed after housing.

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