HistoryHistoryI have always had a special love for the perfect symmetry of the BALL formation. The perfection of form that is possible urges me to try to grow them to get the maximum possible globularity. What I discovered is that there is quite a lack of good examples of the type, even in the best, there is always some flaw, and so I was inspired to try to breed a better one. The leading variety at the time was Kenora Fireball, which I had grown and appreciated. It is, however, not a pure red as it has considerable visible yellow spread up the petal from the base. This distracts the eye and that is its flaw. So, in 1992, I crossed a pure light red, Barbarry Climax, onto Kenora Fireball, using the techniques of Hand Pollination that I had begun to perfect, hoping to get a lucky combination of genetics that would include the excellent formation of Kenora Fireball. I got about 20 seeds to grow in 1993. Most were double, but not what I was after - except my code-931102, which you see pictured here. Strong growth, excellent stems, and abundant medium green foliage on a taller, more upright plant than either of its parents. It is also an excellent tuber maker. I sent it to the Trial Garden in Tacoma where it scored 87.2, and I entered and got two ADS bench scores. 86.33 and 87.83 (one judge scored it at 91). It was released by Ferncliff Gardens at $12.
It has begun to make its way on the show bench and in its first year has won16 blue ribbons, 5 of which went on to higher awards. Several people have been quite taken by it and their compliments have given me great pleasure.
Copyright © 1997 Wayne Holland
email to nospam_hydahlia@shaw.ca just delete the nospam part!