Saltford Auricula Show 17 April 2004

This is the first time I have visited an auricula show, and slapped wrists because the West of England Show at Saltford is only a few miles from my home in Bath.

I was in such a 'tizz' of excitement that I was in and out like a whirlwind, snapping away and blinding people with the flash on the camera [sorry], forgetting to take notes [silly] and anxious to get to the crowded sales stall [greedy].

I also apologise to the natty gent in a blue blazer who after seeing me load up with new plants was exhorting me to enter a beginners class next year. I started to enumerate my past problems with auriculas [woolly aphis, fungus gnats etc. etc.] and my shame at the many I have lost over the years - at which point his eyes started glazing over and he made a hasty escape!

I admit that I don't like the yellows so passed those over, I have picked out some of the more unusual colours that caught my eye and made me very lustful, some are perhaps not to everyone's taste. 'Barbarella' a very dark purple-black self seemed a popular entry, I also noted a rather lovely deep golden brown double 'Chiqueta' which I forgot to 'snap'. .

If anyone recognises their auricula and would like to be credited please email me and I will happily oblige.
View down the hall at Saltford showing some of the exhibits Blue Selfs including the class winner 'Windermere'
View down one of the main show tables with 'Alpine Auriculas' in the foreground. The drop-dead gorgeous pale blue to the left is the first prize winner in the Blue Selfs class, 'Windermere' ; in the middle is 'Blue Cliffs' and to the right 'Blue Veil' [the second prize winner].
Display of striped seedlings Grey edged winner
A display of striped seedlings - they were some of the earliest auriculas depicted in paintings, then went out of fashion, but have made a steady comeback since the 1970's due to the dedication of breeders such as Allan Hawkes. The first prize winner in the 'Grey Edged' class, a seedling. The white is 'farina', a mealing that also covers the leaves.
Border Auricula class showing George Swinford's Leathercoat Auricula Opal?
Was this grey one 'Opal' ? I can't remember I just thought it was rather a lovely colour.



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One of the Border Auricula classes - 3 borders of a different type excluding doubles. Geoff Nicolle won the class, but this entry caught my eye, the one at the front is an old variety, 'George Swinford's Leathercoat', another I have had and lost. April 2004

 


 
 
@ Karisgarden 2002 - 2004