Selecting Daffodils for Show

A good bloom is not easily defined. But the right balance of the basic principles of form, pose, condition, substance and texture, color, size and stem used by the judges is a good place to start.

The judges' book has a list of the point values for scoring daffodils. A total of 90 points is required for a daffodil to be awarded a ribbon. The judging scale of points is:

• Condition.........................20
• Form...............................20
• Substance and Texture....15
• Color..............................15
• Pose..............................10
• Stem..............................10
• Size...............................10
• ................Total.............100

Okay, got that! Now throw the book out and leave it for the judges, as judging is subjective, and not a hard science anyway. They always include the judging point values in the show program, but that's for the judge's protection. You don't need it. If you get wrapped up in the judges' book, you will never show a flower, as you will be spending all your time meeting judging point standards.

Three Keys

There are three keys to showing daffodils that meet all the judging criteria. It's easy, just follow the plain English instructions below, you will never have to worry about the judges point system.

Point Number 1

The flowers must be fresh. Signs of ageing should not be visible, especially any browning of the tips of the perianth segments, dull greyish coloring of the pollen on the stamens or collapse of the edges of the perianth segments or the corona. A good bloom will have a firm, rigid perianth and corona and no signs of any part beginning to lose substance and become transparent. The texture should be soft and velvet like. Another sign of aging is a large seed pod, that some judges will penalize.

Point Number 2

The main requirement is form in that the bloom needs to be both round and symmetrical to create a nicely balanced effect.

• The pose of a bloom should be assessed from the side and front.
• Color should be typical of the cultivar, must be pure and clear; fading, streaking or muddiness are not appropriate or acceptable.
• The size of the bloom must be appropriate to the cultivar.
• The stem should be adequate to support the bloom, and typical of the cultivar. The stem must be straight.

The pose of the bloom is very important but usually can be corrected in the next grooming stage. Get to know your daffodils, and how they typically look. The necks of standard daffodils from division 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, and 11 should hold the bloom at a pose of slightly above 90 degrees. A bloom that is looking up will be penalized. The bloom should be "looking at you."

Go To Page: 1 2 3