Cut flower Evaluation Proposal:
On the subject of flower sellers doing the evaluation for cut flower qualities , perhaps a two or three step process would be better than requiring the busy cut flower seller to measure, color classify and count tubers and fill out a long questionnaire:
Step one: stock of the subject flower given to cut a flower person and it is only identified by the ADS classification(loosely applied is OK). The cut flower grower would place the new one near similar dahlias and grow it. The appraisal would be a simple yes or no. Yes it could be good cut flower or no (I did not like it in my garden) . All the no verdicts would be anonymous.
Step Two: Cut flower sellers who don' t mind more paper work would grow the "yes" flowers and fill out a brief questionnaire and perhaps give it a "score" .
Step three: A trial(cut flower garden or a designated garden, like a trial garden.) in where awards are given for the flowers for the best flowers from steps one and two.
I would propose the that step one for the "losers" would be done in secret. Step two results would be published but only to the extent that the flowers are going to step three.
Three years to get to a conclusion? A two stop process may work but having all "winners" in one place for a grand finale and awards would encourage more people to breed good cut flowers.
Dutch painting
