The dahlia season is getting ever closer quite quickly now.  Most of you will be looking forward to having these wonderful blooms in your garden to gaze upon and drool over. Not hard to do let's face it. However, there may be some of you who would like to explore the world of growing your blooms with a higher degree of perfection and displaying them in front of the judges.

Showing dahlias is competitive, fun and free. No entry fee and no prize money. It is at these shows that competitors get to chat amongst each other on the various merits or failings of different varieties, different methods that they trial in growing and of course to introduce new raisings direct from the breeder.

Club members both local and national are the main source of new tubers for our gardens. There is also a great comraderie amongst the exhibitors. As the senior open class growers are depleting and their knowledge with them, it is time for a new generation of budding exhibitors to step up and keep the skills alive and flourishing.

As an added incentive. In 2028, Palmerston North (Central Districts Dahlia Circle) will be hosting the National Dahlia Show. This is a must see for any dahlia enthusiast! There are plenty of novice grower classes too. There will also be the Rainbow Competition featured again. This is for growers who are completely new to competition and want to bring their best garden varieties and enter them into a colour class that is judged by popular public vote. We have about 18 mths to prepare for this.

In order to prepare, I would like to invite potential novices to entertain the idea of learning how to prepare blooms for show, transporting blooms and vasing up etc. I am happy to help by having garden visits over the flowering season, workshops and personal help to prepare for and get to shows, plus help on the day.

Most of these shows are run by an aging group of people who would like some help. I recommend that you contact the secretaries, become members, offer help and supply entries.