September, 2006
NEXT MEETING:
12 September @ 7:30 @ 9th & Lincoln.
Program: Open to All Mini Show. You may show up to two blooms per
category including x3 and x5. Please come early to set up and label
your dahlias using ADS show numbers for the elucidation of your
confreres. Bring your lovely blooms as many of DSC growers will be in
New York for the National Show so yours will have a chance to blaze
away!
SAN LEANDRO Library: CHECK IT
OUT!
The first show of the year surprised
everyone with the quantity and quality of specimen blooms.
Despite 22 days of triple digit temperatures, Roy Stier had a
dozen Kenora Jubilees from which to choose his Best A. His
monstrous Edna C’s never belied the taxing weather. His Danum
Meteor just seemed to swell with the heat to Biggest and Best in
Show. Roy’s yellow Betty Boop beguiled the judges for Best NX
open and accumulated Amateur Sweepstakes.
SF FLORAGANZA!
Year 2006, the DSC
members outdid themselves in throwing a great floral
extravaganza! The overall quality and the quantity of BIG dahlias distinguished this year’s event.
OUTSTANDING
IN THEIR FIELDS:
What a Novice Only Mini Show: almost 80 flowers from 6 growers with
entries in all categories except open novelty and peony. First time
exhibitor, Hank, commented on the challenge of transporting blooms in a
convertible. Despite the windy ride, Hank triumphed with Best AN.
Stillwater Pearl and a red Pooh. Afterwards, Hank sent his beauties
home with many delighted DSC members.
Nicole and Kirk took
prizes on their maiden venture with Ali, and Dot Com. Jim scored with a
lovely Honka and a humongous Inland Dynasty. From his front yard
display patch, Frank nailed Best AA with Ivory Palaces and Best MC,
Weston Pirate.
Frank’s
phenomenal Vassio Meggos was surpassed only by his even better Best A,
Hollyhill Electra. Joe’s garden produced Best MB, Mingus Gary; Best WL,
Pam Howden; snazzy Best NX, Valley Porcupine; Best x5 (wow!) Pam Howden,
while his x3 Nenekazi aced out his x3 Jomandas for Best x3. Winning the
big bucks, Lou claimed Best B, Jenny; Best BA, Kenora Fireball; Best P,
Poppet; Best CO, Sean C; Best S, Moonfire; and Best MS, Mathew Juul.
Discerning judges, Gerda, Ron and Joann lauded Chimacum Caleb, BB FD OR,
from DJ Best in Show. Besides garnering glory, exhibiting also
educates. Lou introduced Windholm Dianne, BB FD Y; Cherwell Linnet, BA;
and Akita No Hikari, NX ; and Hollyhill Spiderwoman to delight DSC
growers. Frank brought a jaunty Union Jack S R/W which has been in
competition since the 1880’s. 
DELL
DOINGS: Thank you to volunteers Pat, Rose, Sarah and
Diana for all the watering, weeding and dead heading; this season is
just too much with us! Thursday night before the show Carol Hemingway
delivered edible encouragement: burritos for Tinnee, Frank, Deborah and
Diana. How very thoughtful!
SNIPS &
CLIPS & TIPS:
DSC ceramic
artist, Marilyn, generously donated a stunning container creation
with frog for silent auction with the proceeds to go to our
society. After rife contention, Hank triumphed with a piece of art
in which to display his exquisite blooms. Tinnee brought in a
bottle of Grant’s Mole Repellant, a combination of castor and
soybean oil which is poured on gopher and mole runs. These pesky varmints
have decimated the GG Hillside, toppling over a dozen of Tinnee’s
pedigreed bushes. Tinnee also recommended “dip and dunk” if you use
Floralife in your containers. If you do not rinse your vases out, an
unattractive crystalline residue will form.
Carol
Hemingway of frontporchphotography.com donated dahlia pins to the
officers. Diana is now selling Carol’s 2007 calendars for $12. Franck
alerted everyone that ADS just published the rules for their annual
photography contest in the June Bulletin. Jamie reported that Aztec
Dahlias, singed by the 116 degree heat in Sonoma, chopped off all the
singed heads and will be 3 weeks late with cut blooms for sale. 
CALIFORNIA
CRUIZING:
On a recent trip to SoCal, I visited the home of
South Coast president, Bob Papp. What an oasis! 8’ tall Magic Moments
and 10’ tall Penhill Watermelons punctuate purple and white datura
trees, fantastic cox combs, and exotic philadendrons. When not
lecturing to garden groups about dahlias, Bob helps Dick Kohlschreiber
and Bob Miller at the Botanical Gardens, an 87 acre reclaimed garbage
site with 3 dahlia plots. Papp waxed enthusiastic about plans to grow
cuttings in the newly revamped greenhouse. Bob flatters that he shows
photos of our Golden Gate Park Dahlia Dell to the volunteers at the
Botanical Garden for inspiration. 
SEPTEMBER
SUCCESS:
How often should you water? Whenever your plants
tell you they need it. In the cool weather in San Francisco, this can
mean once a week. In the warmer areas during heat waves, this can mean
every day and even adding misters. When leaves begin to droop, your
plants want water. Dahlias thrive when deeply watered and then allowed
to dry. This forces roots deeper. At home I continue my cocktail of bugicide/fungicide/Superbloom
with liquid soap sticker every 2-3 weeks. I will do another Bayer’s 3
in One soil drench which should last me the rest of the season. Rogue
NOW! Any plant looking spindly or stunted; any plant still producing
green centers which do not close or open centers when they are supposed
to be fully double—throw out. Get rid of. Do not leave in your
garden. 
Plant some low laterals from the excellent stock
in your garden. You may even have flowers by the end of the season from
these late cuttings—but for sure you will have tubers for next season.
Label immediately. Check your first blooms against their names: are
they what you thought they should be? If not, bring one to our meeting
for the experts to identify or go online to find a picture of what you
are growing. Remember the dire words of Lou Paradise, “A dahlia without
a name is just a weed.” Continue to tie up your plants, disbud, deleaf
and deadhead. The more assiduous you are with these daily tasks,
the longer you will get flowers. Invite people to your garden and go
visit others; this facilitates new ideas, better growing and great
community. Sign up these newly interested dahlia enthusiasts for our
tuber sale in April. If you are going out of town for over a week, trim
off all the buds as though you were deadheading them. You will be
aghast at how desolate your garden looks when you leave, but amazed at
how robust and abloom it appears when you return.
Dahlia
Society of California, Inc., San Francisco, CA
-- Copyrighted
Chief Editor: Deborah Dietz
eNewsletter Editor: Ted Marr
Acknowledgement: Photos in
this issue by Deborah, Rose, DJ and Ted.