Duel Classification And Unclassified Dahlias
Should a judge have to make a decision on the spot ?.
A hundred and fifty vases to be judged in one and a half hours, small miniature, ball or decorative. These are the problem areas; i.e. : Three judges have the variety L.A.T.E in a three vase, miniature ball championship, do they down point it as they think of it more decorative form than ball. Three different judges have L.A.T.E in a three vase miniature decorative championship, down point it, for they think it more ball than decorative.
Two different exhibitors, two different results, nobody is happy, especially the exhibitor, but the decision has been made.
 Jomanda exhibited just won't go through the miniature ball ring shown as a small ball, should size become a serious fault ? If you show small decorative ; i.e. : Ruskin Diane, that just won't go through the miniature ring, they would not get a second look, so size do's matter here. So it appears there are rules for ball dahlias and for decorative dahlias.
And rules for small decorative and rules for small cactus.
 Put a small decorative up six inches in diameter and it is OK.
 Put a small cactus up six inches in diameter and they are said to be to small.
 But that is what they are "SMALL".
But there are no rules just guide lines and opinions but these are of the judges and the classification committee-------"Who wants the job". I think everything should be judged as seen, with quality the over riding factor.
 I have probably got it all wrong, but this is my opinion.
 I don't expect to be invited to judge any shows in the year 2001. And what are we doing about good miniature ball and decorative and all the dahlias that are on the small side for their classification even when grow to their full potential ?.
 They are discarded by the exhibitor because of the way we are at present, judging dahlias up to ring size. The rules says that the rings are there to rule out over size blooms, but they are also ruling out lots of good dahlias that are just a little small for there classification, even when grown to there full potential.
This needs a closer look by the classification committee and the judges of the National Dahlia Society to get some forgotten dahlias back on the show benches.
To name just two Downham Royal miniature ball, and Davenport Sunlight, medium semi cactus.
Ron Rimmer