So said the three judges, Charl Coetzee of Port Elizabeth, Paul Kloeck of Nelspruit and Franscois van Rooyen of Greytown in Natal. To put the cherry on top, their comments were echoed by Ian Vermaak, past chairman and founder of the Garden Route Clivia Club and Willie le Roux, previously chairman of the Port Elizabeth Clivia Club.
It was acknowledged that the quality of the plants on display is the result of improved breeding programmes by members, as well as a willingness for breeders to invest in modern breeding material in the form of both seeds and plants of superior quality, acquired from the best clivia breeders in the world.
Once again Ricky and Noelia Jardim made a clean sweep of the best on show prizes, winning Best On Show Gold, Silver and Bronze. Best On Show Own breeding was won by Gerrie Brits and Most Exceptional Plant by Kobus and Ida Esterhuizen. Karl Ross won the Most Exceptional Flower class. Of particular interest was the perfect miniature Japanese bred plant entered by the Esterhuizens.
At the function that followed the judging, the chairman Dr Piet Theron thanked the judges, show manager Gerhard Faber, the committee and all volunteers for their contribution to the success of the show. The members expressed through Faber, their appreciation of the many hours that the club secretary Ida Esterhuizen and her husband Kobus worked to collate the entry data for the new computer programme. He said it was a massive task undertaken with quiet efficiency.
It is clear that South African clivia breeders are looking at the Garden route Clivia Club with keen interest. Some are trying to attribute the club's success to an ideal climate, but those in the know, acknowledge it is more than that and local clivia breeders will continue to do everything possible to constantly improve.
Gordon Fraser is a GRCC committee member.
The Outeniqua Primary hall showcasing the clivias was a fantastic sight to behold. Photo: Martie de Jager
Podium top centre, Best On Show Gold - a Bronze Miniata by Ricky & Noelia Jardim; podium left (yellow), Best On Show Silver - Narrow petal Yellow by Ricky & Noelia Jardim; podium right, Best on show Bronze - a pastel Miniata by Ricky & Noelia Jardim; bottom centre, Most Exceptional Plant - a Miniature Miniata by Kobus & Ida Esterhuizen; bottom left, Most Exceptional Flower - a Bronze Green Throat first flower class by Karl Ross; bottom right - Best On Show Own Breeding by Gerrie Britz.
