Regrettably, we have had to cancel the Public Tuber Auction scheduled for 6 November and our October Members' Meeting will be held Online. Details to follow.

Shirley, wife of Life Member Bob Yeomans, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday 31st August 2021.

Joy and Les Lawson remember Shirley as a life-long friend upon whom you could always rely at any time:

“At our Annual State Dahlia show Shirley would be there, behind the scene, helping in many ways: setting up rooms, laying out the show benches, recording entries and awards, and, before leaving at night, watering every exhibitor vase to ensure each bloom looked its best the following day. Always with a smile and friendly word for everyone.”

Sadly missed. Rest in Peace.

Now is the time of year to prepare the soil for planting starting from mid-October.

A green crop planted in autumn can be chopped down and dug into the soil. Add fertilizers to encourage the soil organisms that break down the organic material provided by the green crop. If you did not grow a green crop, add organic material such as leaf mould, compost or manure. The ‘trench method’ of soil preparation – whereby the top soil is pushed to one side, a trench is dug, filled with organic matter, and then re-covered with the top soil – can be used.

If there is insufficient nitrogen in the soil, the surface mulch will deplete it further and create a problem with the growth of the plants and, in particular, the leaves and photosynthesis.

Tip from the Top

There is a distinct advantage in combining animal fertilizers like chicken, pigeon, sheep, cow and blood & bone if they are available to you. I also like to add some quality mulch (lucerne, pea straw, seaweed) at the same time in my trench. This absorbs nitrogen and releases it at a later slower (more controlled) rate to the plants, even when the surface mulch absorbs nitrogen as it breaks down.

Chris Michalopoulos, Life Member

This year, the Society will offer online tuber sales in the form of Members Mixed Mystery Packs of five tubers for $60 including postage:

❖ Each pack will contain labelled named varieties, but you will not know which varieties until you open the pack

❖ Each pack of five tubers will contain at least three distinct varieties

❖ The tubers will be ones grown by members who grow them for exhibition.

An email message advising how to purchase one or more Mystery Packs will be sent as a separate communication. As well as raising funds for the Society, this sales approach is aimed at getting new growers off to a good start by providing them with good quality tubers.

Tuber Donations

ALL THIS WILL ONLY BE POSSIBLE if experienced growers undertake to help newer growers get off to a good start by being willing to supply one or more Mixed Mystery Packs of five tubers, so that all orders can be fulfilled. The cost of postage will be reimbursed as a flat rate of $20 per package. If you are able to post at least one package to a nominated buyer please let Stanton know by reply email or directly to dsv.tuber.sales@gmail.com.

Now is the time to do some garden maintenance:

The DSA is the umbrella organization for dahlia societies in Australia.

The 2021 DSA Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 11 June in Canberra. The results of the election of office bearers were:

Delegates from each of the eight member societies meet once a year at the Annual DSA Conference. At the Conference in Canberra the following resolutions were passed:

❖ Australian Championship

This new championship will be sponsored by the DSA and rotate around the societies the year after their conference (2022 Canberra, 2023 Queensland).

❖ Judges Standards Panel

A panel has been formed to review judging standards and will meet at the Australian Championship and annual DSA Conference.

Les Lawson was announced as the recipient of the Dahlia Society of Australia's Dahl Medal at the DSA'a Annual Conference in Canberra on 11-12 June.

The Dahl Medal is the DSA's highest honour. Only five living members of the Society can be recipients at any one time.  Les joins fellow DSV member Fran Grylls as a holder of the award. Covid restrictions meant Les and Joy Lawson were unable to attend the Conference.  DSA President Warren Vigor will present Les his award at the September member's meeting.

John Menzel has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his work in growing and promoting dahlias.

Unfortunately John passed away in April, so did not live to receive his OAM. John was the driver behind the foundation of the Dahlia Society of Australia and its President from its inception to his passing.  He and Anne Menzel were also members  of the DSV.

Warren Vigor was elected President of the Dahlia Society of Australia at its AGM in Canberra on 11 June.

Warren is a grower and breeder of dahlias and a champion exhibitor at shows throughout Victoria and elsewhere. His travels to the US have given him insights into the way the flourishing Dahlia Societies operate there.

Warren is a long term member of the DSV. Congratulations, Warren!

On May 13th 2021, Brian James “Joe” Daniel, formerly of Rokewood and Tallygaroopna, passed away in Ballarat aged 84.

A much-loved member of the dahlia growing community in Victoria, Joe Daniel has the distinction of being the only exhibitor in the history of the Victorian Annual Dahlia Show to be awarded (in 2003) the Dahlia Society of Victoria Gold Medallion for an exhibit of outstanding excellence.