The DAHLIA database How to order:- Indicate your interest in the space provided on the Order form.
Availability:- End of November. Order your copy now. Current Status: Plant Names + Photo Intensive. Input from Horticulturists to follow.
Contributors: (1) Bob Skelton, Co Down, N Ireland. Classification Used: British National Dahlia Society classification (see About Dahlias below).
The Project : Ongoing. Update Frequency: Twice per year envisaged.
Applications: Of interest to any Dahlia Society, Nursery, Hybridiser etc. around the world. Installation is unnecessary. The database is intended for viewing in a
CD drive using a registered installation of the Ideas Genie software. You CANNOT view the material on this SWAP CD in evaluation mode. If so desired, licenced users of Ideas Genie can restore this
database from the CD and adopt it as a starting point to document their own collection. The photos (and plant information) on the CD may be viewed either selectively or in slide shows. The Slide
show components are designed to be entirely suitable for both home enjoyment and for professional presentations. Useful for Gardening Club talks.
Self running demos can be configured for display booth use in Garden Centres. Data on any plant in the database can be easily accessed. ...and a multitude of other uses!
About Dahlias: There are hundreds of cultivated varieties of Dahlias. The British National Dahlia Society classifies species and varierties into 10 groups.
In addition, the groups most commonly grown for exhibition are classified by the width of their flower head. Ideas Genie allows any number of groups and any number of groups to be defined, and plants
can be associated with their respective groups. Hence, the software has the flexibility to allow you to reclassify the Dahlias if you so wish.
About Bob Skelton:
Bob Skelton has been growing Dahlias (and Chrysanthemums) for many years and is very well known in the locality. His garden is dedicated, in the main, to growing these plants.
In Ireland,
Dahlias can be killed off overnight by a hard frost. Very disappointing considering they are at their peak at that time, and in Bob’s case, much sought after for display at Harvest thanksgiving services
and as superb floral bouquets fro the home. Every tuber is dug up, dried off and stored in a frost free place for the winter. The inevitable losses over winter are replaced.
Additionally, a number of new varieties are purchased each year, some living up to expectations, some not.
Bob grows more than 200 plants every year, resulting in a splendid display. I had the
pleasure of a conducted tour and a commentary on the worthiness of the plants during my photo shoots. I had a few favourites!
I thought it was about time this expert amateur gardener was given some world wide recognition!
NOTE: Ideas Genie must be purchased and registered to view any database in the SWAP library. Back to SWAP Library Index
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