Entering Your Daffodils in the Spring Show

The VDHS Spring Show is headlined with the daffodil classes - the below guide is to help anyone who has grown some daffodils and wants to show them.
It's important to know that experts classify daffodils into 13 Divisions, often referred to in bulb catalogues. The divisions are based primarily on the shape and structure of the flowers, along with other characteristics.​
GOOD TO KNOW...
Corona refers to the cup or trumpet.
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Perianth refers to the petals.
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Reflexed petals are those which are angled away from the corona.
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Pedicel is the 'neck' of the flower which joins it to the stem.
How to Show Daffodils
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You will need to check the details of the Class on the Show Schedule. This will specify how many flowers, and whether they have to be the same cultivar (variety).
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​Most of the classes require 3 stems. You need to select 3 flowers that look as identical as possible. Try to select newly opened blooms which will have the most vibrant colour.
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Check them over for blemishes - slug damage, weather damage etc. Discard if damaged.
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Cut the stems as long as possible, and put them straight into water.
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Bring them to the Memorial Hall between 8.30am and 11am on Spring Show day.
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Plastic vases are provided by the VDHS at the hall.
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Put some water in the vase and place in your daffodils. Moss will be available at the hall to pack around the top of the vase - this will hold your daffodils in place.
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Try to form a triangle with your 3 blooms - two at the top on either side, one at the bottom in the middle (or vice versa). Point your blooms straight forward.
GOOD TO KNOW...
How you select and present your daffodils means a lot to the judges!
Try to choose as near identical as possible, without any damage.
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Position them in the vase in a formation and facing straight forwards. Keep them in place with moss in the top of the vase.
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If you've never entered before, a VDHS steward will be on hand at staging time to help you!
​Here are the main VDHS Spring Show classes and how to identify which you can enter with your daffodil varieties. If you know the variety of daffodil you planted, then you can look up online which Division if falls in to. If you're not sure, then use the descriptions below to choose which fits best. If you're still not sure, bring them to the Spring Show between 8.30am and 11am and someone will be on hand to help you select the right class to enter!
Which Daffodil in Which Class?

Division & Description Spring Show Classes
DIVISION 1
One flower per stem with trumpet that is the same length or longer than the petals.

1. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, yellow, large trumpet (Div. 1), 3 stems, 1 cultivar
2. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, white, large trumpet (Div. 1), 3 stems, 1 cultivar
3. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, bi-coloured, large trumpet (Div. 1), 3 stems, 1 cultivar
DIVISION 2
One flower per stem with trumpet that is not longer than the petals.

4. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, large cup (Div. 2), 3 stems, one or more cultivars
DIVISION 3
One flower per stem with small trumpet that is much shorter than the petals.

5. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, small cup (Div. 3), 3 stems, one or more cultivars
DIVISION 4
One flower per stem, with double bloom - ruffled appearance - no distinction between trumpet and petals.

6. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, double (Div. 4), 3 stems, 1 cultivar
DIVISION 6
Cyclamineus: One small flower per stem with petals that sweep backwards from the trumpet.

7. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, cyclamineus (Div. 6), 3 stems, one or more cultivars
DIVISION 5
Triandrus: Small-flowered daffodils up to five pendent blooms per stem and the petals are often reflexed.

8. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, multi-headed (Div. 5, 7 or 8), 3 stems, one or more cultivars
DIVISION 7
Jonquilla and Apodanthus: two to five small flowers per stem. Trumpet is flared - wider than it is long.

DIVISION 8
Tazetta: up to 20 small flowers per stem.

DIVISION 9
Poeticus: These have small trumpets in contrasting colours to the large white petals.

9. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, poeticus (Div. 9), 3 stems, one cultivar
DIVISION 10
Bulbocodium: short, with delicate, rush-like leaves; the trumpets are much larger than the petals; they flower early.

​​10. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, any other division not listed above, 3 stems, one cultivar
11. A vase of Narcissi / Daffodil, 5 stems, cultivars from any divisions.
DIVISION 11
Split-corona: These have a trumpet which is split into segments.

DIVISION 12
Miscellaneous: Daffodils which do not fit into any other division.
DIVISION 13
Species daffodils (including wild narcissi)
