Daffodil Day crops on track for most of the country

Bad weather and frosts delayed this year's daffodil production in the eastern North Island, meaning almost 800 pre-sold bunches won't reach Rotorua businesses in time. Photo / Alan Gibson

This winter's heavy frosts have affected daffodil crops in parts of the country but the yellow flowers are on track to star on Daffodil Day for most of the country.

Daffodil Day is a major fundraiser for the Cancer Society and chief executive Claire Austin said there'd be a few delays getting the flowers to Rotorua but they were working with businesses and couriers to ensure nobody missed out on a chance to buy the flowers.

Bad weather and frosts delayed this year's daffodil production in the eastern North Island, meaning almost 800 pre-sold bunches won't reach Rotorua businesses in time for Daffodil Day on Friday.

There were concerns Tauranga business would be short as well but supplies were expected to arrive today and tomorrow.

Ms Austin asked anybody in Rotorua who missed out this week and wanted to buy a daffodil to wait until Tuesday, when fresh flower deliveries were expected.

"So Rotorua's going to have a kind of longer Daffodil Week really," Ms Austin said.

She said Daffodil Day, now in its 25th year, was the Cancer Society's biggest fundraising event and it had grown "exponentially" since its inception.

Ms Austin said 33,000 flowers were sold nationwide when the initiative started in 1991. Some 93,000 flowers would probably be sold in Canterbury this year alone.

Northern Daffodil Club member Ron Tyrrell said the frosts had been especially hard this year.

The club covered the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, where frosts delayed the daffodils' flowering. That delay meant the flowers would bloom a bit late, and frantically, he said.

"I would imagine it's been the coldest we've had for several years," Mr Tyrrell said.

"It's a funny thing. They get slowed down by the frost and then the weather comes right and they all come in a rush."

Bay of Plenty Cancer Society spokeswoman Maria Low said Daffodil Day usually ran like a well-oiled machine.

"Even though the timing of deliveries isn't going to be ideal, their purchase of fresh daffodils still goes towards helping people with cancer and we're very grateful,' she said.

The daffodil deficit came after a shortage of Cancer Society volunteer drivers to deliver the flowers this year.

Pre-sales of fresh flowers to local businesses formed a significant part of the Cancer Society's annual appeal.

Daffodil Day proceeds went towards scientific research into the causes and treatment of cancer. The day also helped fund 43,000 bed nights for people who had to leave their home towns for cancer treatment and needed a place to stay.

For more information: www.daffodilday.org.nz

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