If at the beginning of 2022 you had told me that I would be holding the National Dahlia Society Bronze Medal for runner up best in show at the Cornish Dahlia Society’s main show then I would have definitely given you a look of derision and scoffed.
In the 6 or so years I’ve been exhibiting Dahlias the main aim was to one day be good enough to compete for a medal, for me this felt like a far flung dream that I would have to wait a while to come true.
But as I walked into the shed at Heligan on the bank holiday Monday to be told by the eager committee that I had not only won the trophy for best vase of Pompons but have also then won the bronze medal as well left me speechless and astounded.
This year for me personally my plants had struggled both due to the constant high temperatures and lack of care. My attention was focused on growing giant vegetables as I planned to enter for the first time at the UK Giant Veg nationals at Malvern and this took up a lot of my time and effort.
So when it came time to show the one type that had been doing so well for me was the Pompon Maya’s Rhonda, which I was so happy to have 12 good blooms to try and select a set of 5 from that were in good condition and matched in size.
This medal means the world to me and you better believe I’ll be going for Silver next year.
A big shout out goes to everyone on the committee and my fellow exhibitors who have helped and encouraged me throughout, I could not have got this far without you all thank you.
Finally, I would encourage everyone to have a go at showing. It’s fun to do with lots of help and advice always available. Whether it’s the People’s Dahlia or the Novice classes or the championship classes there is an opportunity for every level of grower. So please have a go, whether you grow just a couple of plants or hundreds.