GREG SUTTON
these top ten only eight were found. After searching for a while it became obvious that they were no longer of a quality to be in this vat and that they must be in the other vat. One we were able to locate, the other had obviously changed to the point where we could no longer recognise it.
There are a lot of similar patterns on the koi. Do you get the phenomenon that if you use a distinctive parent you will get this pattern thrown in a lot of the offspring? Yes definitely. When youÕve been around the parents and their offspring for a while you get to recognise traits from each parent.
Really? In what way? Traits can be seen from parents clearly. Even between males when you use two in a spawning. Little things such as sumi style, beni pigment colour and skin type etc. All the things we as hobbyists discuss when talking about koi.
Can you explain what you mean? Yes. If we bowl these two koi here for example, you can clearly see the two distinct differences in the beni colouration.
There’s so much to learn. I’m sure I’ll never get the hang of it. I have been breeding koi since 1999 and I still learn more each year. IÕve lots of chasing to do to catch up with generations of the Japanese breeders. IÕve seen the level of UK bred koi rise dramatically since I began and I do think this is because we all drive each other on to bigger / better things. We are good for each other in a friendly, competitive way. Breeding koi is a constant learning curve.
I have always struggled to tell the difference between young koi where the beni is failing, and where you see the really exaggerated Maruzome kiwa which the beni then creeps through the fukurin and fills the gap and finishes nicely – can you show me? If we take one of the koi where the beni is failing I can. You need to bend the koi slightly and as you do this you will see the white between the scales. I find that most of the koi with the exaggerated Maruzome (scalloped) kiwa are on the way to failing Ð very few fill in, unless the koi is very high quality.
Does sashi / kiwa begin to play a role now in your selection criteria? Yes it does and there are some examples in the group of koi we are going to concentrate on now, in particular koi nine Ð ÔGregalineÕ. WeÕll cover that as we talk through the koi, photograph and measure them.
so how did the koi get on? Which of those original top ten are destined
for the garden centre and which are to be treated to the luxury of the mudpond? Of course the best judge is Maurice and here are his comments:
Koi one The Shiroji (white) is very good along with really nice sumi. Unfortunately I have concerns about the beni Ð long term IÕm unsure if this koi will make the grade. I will decide if this koi is to go into the mudpond nearer the time. This koi currently measures 14cm.
Koi two Sadly this koi will no longer be a film star and is destined for the garden centre pond. The beni is failing and there is no point in trying to sell this koi to a more serious hobbyist. The warm water and the growing have revealed this since we last looked at the koi. In a way IÕm glad it happened now as IÕd rather take the loss than the hobbyist. WeÕll not be seeing this koi as a Nisai. This koi currently measures 18cm.
Koi three This koi is doing really good. The sumi has done exactly as I hoped and has receded well. The shadowed area should continue to recede and then at a later date return and consolidate. I hope this koi will show exactly what IÕm trying to explain with the changes in sumi in young Sanke. This koi is currently 17cm.
Koi four You are never going to be able to
Selection begins
Breeding koi is a constant learning curve
JULY 2010 29
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