Weather a dampener on show entries
Recent hail and heavy rain has been attributed to a significant drop in entries at this year’s annual Timaru Horticultural Society Spring Show.
Show convenor Maureen Ng, with the help of a dozen society members, started setting up on Friday for this weekend’s show at the Caroline Bay Hall.
Ng said about 450 entries had been received, down from the usual 600 entries. ‘‘The hail that came through last weekend has really affected things,’’ Ng said.
‘‘Daffodils and various other plants got shredded, everything got shredded.’’
Ng said, during her ten years as a member of the Timaru Horticultural Society, she could not recall similar conditions. However, it was a joy to see the colours of spring after the rough winter South Canterbury had experienced, she said.
‘‘We still have our regular exhibitors and we are happy to have new ones. The entries are mostly local and sometimes from further afield.’’
All entries would be judged by a panel of experts, with cut flowers, floral art, container plants, bonsai, alpine and rock gardens featuring.
Gardening columnist and Green Leaf Plant Centre owner Keith Omelvena agreed recent rain and hail had affected early spring growth. However, there were positive signs with some blossoms appearing ‘‘a week or two early’’, he said.
‘‘Since the rain stopped it’s coming back to a normal spring.’’
Cherry blossoms were earlier than usual this year, he said. ‘‘I’d imagine some places got it worse than South Canterbury did last weekend with the hail.
‘‘My gut instinct is that it’s going to dry out quite a bit in the coming weeks but we have plenty of moisture in the ground now.
‘‘It’s certainly a better looking spring than last year when it was cold and wet and miserable.’’ The show is scheduled to run between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday, and 11am and 4pm on Sunday.