Victoria Dahlia Society

I hope this email finds you all well.  Now that the 2022 Dahlia Show season is over, and the Parlour Show has successfully demonstrated the depth of knowledge and truly amazing talent for nurturing, growing and showing Dahlias we now turn to the Fall.

We have opened the learning garden to all members who would like to benefit from the expertise of our Dahlia Elders (senior growers).  Would love to see more people come out next year.

Soon (or some have already) we will be digging and putting our dahlia’s to bed, which also requires some knowledge and expertise to ensure what is put to bed, wakes up fresh and ready to grow.

During this month and next I am requesting renewals for 2023 Victoria Dahlia Society (VDS) memberships.  All current memberships will expire on December 31, 2022. Some have already paid for their renewals or are new members.  If you are a new member and paid your dues after the August Show your membership will expire in December of 2023.

Note to our ADS, PNDC and Federation Members, the date for submission of dues to the ADS has been pushed back into the Spring and as such we will be sending out a notice in late January, early February for the collection of those dues.

To renew your VDS membership, please follow this procedure:

Individual – $15.00

Family – $20.00

1. E-Transfer to victoriadahliapayment@gmail.com   No password required.

4.  Mail your cheque to : Attention Treasurer, Victoria Dahlia Society, Bryan Bedford, 8514 East Saanich Road, North Saanich, BC, V8L 5W2

3. Pay your dues in cash or cheque at the November 3rd General Meeting.

2. Reply to this email with any updates to your address, telephone, name or email

.

We are looking forward to another wonderful year of growing dahlias, shows and beautiful blooms to share.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Marguerite

Membership Coordinator

Hello Club Members,

Why is one dahlia flower in a show better than another? The mysteries of judging

explained!!!!!

Our judging Chair, Barry Willoughby, is planning to hold a judging session for

anyone who wants to enhance their knowledge of this area of dahlia culture.

There is much to learn about judging but anyone can become a judge and can

learn the basics. The American Dahlia Society (ADS) establishes standards for

dahlia flowers including colour and form being the most important. Without judges,

our shows could not be held and we need to continually train new judges to take

over for those who retire. Training will be hands-on as much as possible. Please let

Barry know if you are interested or have questions about judging. The session will

be only for new judges and anyone interested can contact him directly by e-mail (bawilloughby@telus.net) or phone 250-634-2100. The session would likely take place in July so he would need to know asap to prepare.

If you are interested in clerking but not yet ready to take on judging you are also

welcome to join this session for interest alone.

Bats in your Belfry?

Ronna Woudstra, bat coordinator for the local non-profit Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT.BC.CA; 250-995-2428), reminds us that baby bats are now learning to fly and may take a while to get the hang of it. She cautions against harming bats or trapping them. By mid-September they will leave your home to hibernate as the weather gets cooler. She advises waiting until then, if you can, to undertake projects such as installing one-way doors or sealing up your house.