The rising star of the dahlia world
How ‘Pooh’ inspired young Che Miles to start winning at National level
Two years ago Che Miles and his mum, Cat, got in touch with me as Che was interested in growing dahlias. Since then, Che has entered numerous competitions, winning place cards at local, county and national level. It’s great to hear his story – and passion for growing dahlias – and, hopefully, this will inspire you to help any youngsters you know who might take up the mantle of growing to show!
Che’s interest was piqued in 2014 when he was just six years old when Cat was talking to the late Terry Haigh, a well-known dahlia grower. When Che heard there was a dahlia called ‘Pooh’ he just had to grow it.
In 2015, with amazing support and generosity from new-found dahlia friends, Che and Cat grew about 60 dahlias, starting them in pots on the windowsill above the heater in the living room. They entered their first village show in 2016.
Now Che and Cat grow the plants in the garden and propagate in a greenhouse and shed. The plantings have now grown to 140 plants in the ground and a selection of 40 to 50 in florist buckets. In the spring they grow another 50 young plants from cuttings for Che to sell at his school summer fair to raise much-needed funds.
Che found his biggest help was the support gained from joining the Cornwall Dahlia Society and the National Dahlia Society. No question is seen as a silly question, and everyone they meet or speak to is more than willing to give help and advice.
Che says his best lesson is to never give up. “Just when you think a tuber isn’t going to throw a shoot one appears. Also you need to grow the varieties you like. They can grow tall so support the plants well. Dahlias love lots of water. Visit local shows to see the flower at its best and talk to like-minded people. Above all enjoy your dahlias!”
As for favourite varieties, Che and Cat grow a good selection of single and collerettes including: ‘Birkenshaw Garden Friends’, ‘Sorbet’, ‘Hadrian’s Midnight’ and ‘Pooh’. For the show bench, Che particularly likes ‘Weston Pirate’ and
‘Gurtla Twilight’. Twilight’ Cat is keen on the old variety ‘Karenglen’ as well as the two modern varieties ‘Josudi Andromeda’ and ‘Josudi Aurora’.
At his local village show Che has won place cards from 1st to 3rd plus trophies, while the Cornwall Dahlia Society show yielded 1st to 3rd place cards in the novice category, along with rosettes and trophies. At the National Dahlia Society at Wisley last year he won 1st to 3rd place cards in the novice category, “and that,” says Che, “has been my greatest achievement so far.
“The Wisley experience was amazing but very tiring. Everyone, from society committee members to other exhibitors, made me feel extremely welcome and they were all supportive and helpful.”
At local level Che would like to keep his good form going, while at county level he now has to enter intermediate classes. Che hopes to try for the championship class if the weather plays ball and at National level, if the opportunity arises, progressing to intermediate level.
I’m sure that we’ll be hearing a whole lot more about Che in the future!