Favorite Daffodils for "Show"?

Hi, everyone--

I am thinking about entering our daffodil show next spring and I was wondering if anyone can suggest the best daffodils for the beginner to 'grow and show'?

I have about 20+ common varieties in our garden now, but I suspect some are better than others for 'showing'...

So, which ones are known to be prize winners?

Is it important to order from the Daffodil 'specialists' like Grant Mitsch http://www.web-ster.com/havensr/mitsch/

or will VanEngelen's and other general suppliers do?

And, are 'recent' introductions more successful than the tried and true in the shows?

Or does it depend mostly on the personal favorites of the judges, perhaps?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks. t.


photo of Grant Mitsch daffs in our show last spring....

oh wow, those can make anybody fall in love with daffs!

beautiful daffs!! do you know what varieties they are?

No, I didn't get the IDs when I took the pics, but they are all Grant Mitch hybrids and in their catalog, I believe.

They were outstanding examples, the daffodil fanciers said.

Do you grow daffs for show? I am just beginning to try it. Bought some 'fancy' bulbs to grow this year and we'll see how they turn out!

Brent&Becky's descriptions often say which varieties are frequent show winners. Those with long, well defined cups and trumpets always seem to be popular in shows (like 'Silent Valley'). Stove-pipe shaped cups have been popular the last few years too.

The ADS Daffodil Quarterly just listed a compilation of the DAFF varieties most decorated in all the local, regional, and the national show, for 2006 (with a big ad for Grant Mitsch Daffs next to it.)

They stated some members are of the opinion that that list is the most important information published all year in the Quarterly.

Sounds significant so I scanned it and will try to post it for anyone venturing into the world of Show Daffodils.

edit--it looks like I will have to work on my scanning and posting a bit. I'll try again later.

This message was edited Oct 2, 2006 10:24 AM

It is very important I think to plant a variety of daffs since they bloom at different times. You would hate to be counting on a certain 'one' just to find it was either past its prime, or was still just a bud. Different winter and spring weather can affect the bloom time as well, I think.

Sue

sue--do you show daffodils?

Your idea of planting a variety of daffs seems very sensible. I also saw a note somewhere to plant the same daff in different micro climates on the property--shade, sun, etc. so that when the show date comes, you have a better chance of having that particular daff in bloom.

Lots of details to attend to to bring home a ribbon!

No I don't show. In fact most all of my named daffs have lost their names over the years.

I have gone to the local Daff Show that was held in Southern Indiana, and the hostess grew over 1500 varieties at that time. In touring her gardens, there were several past their prime, and so many that weren't near blooming yet.

The microclimes sounds like a good idea. Some on the north, east, south, and west.

I've always noticed that the earliest blooms of the small ones that appear along the roadsides are always on a south facing bank.

Sue

Tabasco,
you would need several varieties to cover the show date as mentioned above. Check to see when your show is so that you can determine whether you need early, middle or a later blooming daff variety.
At least as important as the variety is the size. Go for the largest bulb size you can find. Brent and Becky's usually sell pretty large ones, and so probably does Grant Mitsch though I have never bought any from GM. You want your entries to be the largest and healthiest specimen as well as the most beautiful. The judging will certainly consider the flower form and condition. You would need to get a copy of the show rules. They should have the judging standards listed. While some of it may be personal opinion, they will have a point standard that they judge by. You need to know what they are looking for and the rule book will tell you. Oh, is this a daffodil society show? You might have to join the society to exhibit. Whoever is running the show will have rules and entry information. I would get this information as soon as I could.
As with any grown for flowers entry to a show, there is a certain amount of chance involved such as, will you have a specimen blooming perfectly for the day of the show? The microclimate idea is good. spread your bulb wealth around. I have a patch of King Alfred type daffodils on my south facing hillside that open about three weeks before everything else.
hope this helps. Let us see a picture of your entry when you get that far!
Martha

This message was edited Oct 13, 2006 4:07 AM

Will daffodils grow in a semi shaded area in zone 8b? Will they naturalize also?

Kamikid, there are varieties that do well and naturalize in the south, but be sure the catalog says that it will perform well there. There are sites that tell which varieties do best in the south, so you can make notes on what varieties to shop for if buying locally. Brent&Beckys has a separate list you can click on of good varieties for the south too.

If the shade in the area is from deciduous trees, daffs should do fine there. They get enough sun before the leaves emerge on the trees. If the shade is from evergreens or structure, daffs may stop blooming and decline.