2015 ASCFG Cut Flower Seed Trials

John M. Dole, Ingram McCall, and Judy M. Laushman

The tall lacy white fl owers of wild who harvested many stems, up to 40 to mixed bouquets or garlands, especially carrot (Daucus carota) are a common 60 stems per plant, cut shorter stems. Not for Latino or East Asian customers. sight, gracing fields all over North surprisingly, the long stems were from The off-putting fragrance needs to be America. This European native is possibly those who either cut the entire plant or mentioned, and continues to hold down one of the fi rst cut fl owers many people cut just a few of the longest stems. Plants popularity for many growers and their recognize, thinking back to memories of were productive for a long time, provided customers. Of the seven cultivars in the snipping some of the fl owers for Mom that they are kept harvested, as pointed out trials the three favorites were ‘Oriental or Grandma. The white fl owers also lent by one trialer. The fl owers worked well Deep Gold’ (AmeriSeed), ‘Jedi Orange themselves to the classic experiment of as an attractive, long-lasting fi ller fl ower. Plus’ (AmeriSeed), and ‘Giant Orange’ putting the fl owers in a glass fi lled with Here at NC State we were concerned (Johnny’s Selected Seeds). ‘Oriental red or blue food coloring and watching the that ‘Dara’ would not transplant very Deep Gold’ produced an average of 13 petals turn color. Well, there is no need for well, which is our normal production stems/plant that were 20 inches long. food coloring anymore. method. Thus, we did two plantings— ‘Jedi Orange Plus’ produced 14 stems/ One of the hits of this year’s cut one from transplants, and one direct plant that were 22 inches long. ‘Giant fl ower trials was Daucus ‘Dara’ (Harris seeded. Both processes produced the Orange’ had 11 stems/plant at 21 inches Seed), a favorite for its long stems, topped same average stem length, but the direct- long. Some trialers of all three cultivars with the classic wild carrot fl owers. But seeded planting produced 13 more stems were able to get 40- to 48-inch stems and there was a twist; the petals ranged in per plant. Certainly, you could use either others harvest up to 50 stems per plant. color from white to pale purple to dark method to spread out the season a bit as Keep in mind that as with the carrot, those purple. Average stem length was two feet the transplants started fl owering earlier. who cut the most stems tended to end up and some trialers cut four-foot stems. Another year, another set of mari- with shorter stem lengths. The average number of stems per plant golds. Their popularity continues to We had three unique lisianthus in was 14, but there was a tradeoff: those increase as more people grow them for the trials this year. The Doublini series

The Cut Flower Quarterly 18 Volume 28, Number 1 from Sakata had small, double, rose-shaped fl owers in white, purple and rose pink. Stem length was a bit on the short side, averaging 13 to 14 inches, with some trialers getting up to 24 inches. Stem number ranged from one to ten per plant, for an average of three to four. Vase life was excellent, which is not surprising as the fl owers have much substance. Regarding market acceptance, there was a big divide among the trialers. We can’t say that we have ever had a group of cultivars for which “love” or “loved” were used so many times. The key seems to be how the fl owers were used. Trialers who sold to fl orists or did event work, or made wearables such as corsages and boutonnieres—dare we say — LOVED this plant. However, they didn’t compete well with larger-fl owered lisianthus at farmers’ markets, and the small fl owers got lost in mixed bouquets. Of the three cultivars, ‘Doublini White’ scored the highest for its clean white fl owers. The ASCFG National Cut Flower Trials have had very few years without sunfl owers and this year was no different, with six cultivars in the 2015 program. Two of the more unusual were ‘Starburst Greenburst’ and ‘Starburst Panache’ (SeedSense). Both are heavily double with many petals; ‘Greenburst’ had a green center and ‘Panache’ a brownish one. Both were branching cultivars with strong stems. Trialers noted that the plants could be treated as single stems, because the side shoots were generally too short on their own, but plants could be pinched to produce longer shoots. ‘Helios Flame’ (Harris Seed) and the three ProCut cultivars (SeedSense) did very well in the trials. ‘Helios Flame’ was a red/yellow bicolor, ‘Procut Brilliance’ had bright yellow petals that are darker yellow near the center, ‘ProCut Gold’ had Sunflower ‘Starburst Greenburst’ (front) golden yellow petals and green center, and ‘ProCut Red’ had rusty red petals. All ‘Procut Brilliance’ (left) produced stems at least three feet long. ‘Starburst Panache’ (right) As in previous years, Chris Wien conducted his photoperiod trials on sunfl owers. Most were day neutral this year: ‘ProCut Brilliance’, ‘ProCut Gold’, ‘ProCut Red’, and ‘Starburst Panache’. ‘Starburst Greenburst’ had a long day response (fl owered later if given short days as a seedling) and ‘Helios Flame’ had a short day response (fl owered John M. Dole, Ingram McCall, and Judy M. Laushman earlier if given short days as a seedling). In summary, there were 19 cultivars from fi ve companies. Based on trial results, the top fi ve commercially available performers are automatically nominated for the ASCFG Cut Flower of the Year. The rankings are based on the combined ratings score: market appreciation + repeat again + ease of cultivation. Thus, from the 2015 trials Daucus ‘Dara’, lisianthus ‘Doublini White’, and sunfl ower ‘Helios Flame’, ‘ProCut Brilliance’, ‘ProCut Gold’ and ‘Starburst Greenburst’ (we had a tie for fi fth place so both are included) are nominated for the Cut Flowers of the Year and will join other nominations from ASCFG members.

Interpreting the trial results: The numbers reported are averages of all the respondents. Many factors will affect the success of any plant species. Our participants are growing and harvesting the trial plants using several methods. After looking at the average, check the range of responses listed below each number to see how the cultivar performed at its best and its worst. If the range of responses in the ratings is narrow and high, i.e., 3-5 or 4-5, the plant was a winner for most of the respondents and is likely to do well for you.

The ‘Repeat Again Rating’ is particularly important because it indicates if the trialer would take the time, money, and space to actually grow the cultivar again. Review the trial results carefully. If a cultivar sounds interesting, but did not appear to do well, try ‘Doublini White’ lisianthus is it anyway. The cultivar may work well for you. perfect for floral crowns.

Acknowledgments: A hearty thank you to all of the 21 evaluators who returned their trial reports and to the seed companies for providing such great cultivars. Congratulations to Nanette Dietmeyer for being the fi rst trialer to return the evaluations again this year! We would also like to thank Alicain Carlson, Travis Hootman, Peyton Daly, Ben Bergmann, Brad Holland, and Tim Ketchie for assisting with the NCSU trials. In preparing the report we did a bit of editing of the comments for space and clarity; our apologies if we’ve altered the tone or content of anyone’s comments.

The Cut Flower Quarterly 19 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

______Participating Growers ______

Gretel Adams Ingram McCall Steve Adams John Dole Sunny Meadows Flower Farm North Carolina State University Columbus, Ohio Raleigh, North Carolina

Rita Anders Jim Mercer Cuts of Color Sheepscot Farm Weimar, Texas Newcastle, Maine

Leon Carrier Carolyn Snell PlantMasters Carolyn Snell Designs Laytonsville, Maryland Bar Mills, Maine

Tanis Clifton Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote Happy Trails Flower Farm Tierra Del Sol Dennis, Mississippi Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Connie Dam-Byl Jennifer Syme William Dam Seeds Syme Family Farm Marigold ‘Garland Orange’ Dundas, Ontario Broad Brook, Connecticut

Dave Delbo Rodger Tschanz Participating Dave’s Flowers University of Guelph Trial Garden Seed Companies Elysburg, Pennsylvania Guelph, Ontario

AmeriSeed Nanette Dietmeyer Linda VanApeldoorn Lompoc, California Fox Ridge Flowers Take Your Pick Flower Farm www.ameriseed.net Crestwood, Kentucky Lansing, New York

Harris Seeds Rochester, New York Michelle Elston Cheryl Wagner www.harrisseeds.com Roots Wagner’s Homestead Farm Carlisle, Pennsylvania Belleville, Michigan Johnny’s Selected Seeds Winslow, Maine Juan Feddes Chris Wien www.johnnyseeds.com La Primavera Farm Cornell University Dundas, Ontario Ithaca, New York Sakata Seed Morgan Hill, California www.sakata.com Peggy Huff Susan Wright Johnny’s Selected Seeds Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery SeedSense Ltd. Winslow, Maine Vilas, North Carolina Penrith, Cumbria, United Kingdom Barbara Jewell www.seedsense.co.uk Island Meadow Farms Prince Edward Island, Canada

The Cut Flower Quarterly 20 Volume 28, Number 1 Summary of Comments until next year, so far, plants are sturdy The number in a parenthesis refers to and doing fine, will the number of respondents who made compare to cup and the comment. If no number is present, saucer, planted side by only one person made the comment. side; No germination; Comments by each individual are This campanula was a separated with a semicolon (;). Note: total write-off as a cut, it many respondents did not make specific would be more suited as comments on each cultivar and in some a bedding plant, I sowed cases, comments have been shortened and transplanted to 50 because of limited space. cell plugs, was very careful not to let them Campanula become root bound, Campanula ‘Champion Pro Deep Blue’ Campanaro F1 series (Sakata) P from Geo had more Daucus ‘Dara’ Good Qualities: Nice deep blue (5); available stems in the Germination good (2); Smaller, more field, notably the pink, there were several and texture for bridal bouquets, wide tightly spaced flowers; No disease or root occasions when I did harvest good stems window of harvest, did not seem to shatter issues no insect damage; Unique flowers; from this variety; to conclude, I have like ammi; Looked great in late-season Large flowers; Easy production, early. trying these for many years hoping for bouquets; Good shelf life, beautiful texture Problems: Poor germination (4); Stem better results, with none forthcoming, added fall and summer tones to bouquet, length too short (2);Vase life too short; I should we grow in a hoophouse/tunnel patches were harvestable for three weeks; have been trying to grow these types of I may reconsider as it would be a much They were very versatile in bridal and campanula for many years, I may have desired bloom to have for bouquet/ centerpiece work, having the ivory in the 2 plants of 100 that will throw up some wedding work; Due to wet spring, plugs mix was much appreciated, the varied height, all rest are short and unusable as were held longer than they should have sizes of blooms was a bonus, they had a a cut; Due to wet spring, flowers turned been, resulting in shorter flowers; Flats huge harvest window, provided it was kept brown quickly; We started these as soon were too wet and not planted out in cut; Excellent filler. as received but it got too hot for them time, bloomed in the flat; Need to know Problems: Flower color is inconsistent, here in Mississippi, they all perished in when to sow for taller plants; Had never varies widely from off white to dark plum the heat; It will be interesting to see if the grown campanula before, very quick (2); None that I saw; Direct seeded but did plants survive in our zone, of the blossoms germination, experimented by pinching not get any germination of any of the seeds, we did receive many were misshapen some and not pinching others, found out I then tried sowing in seed-starting mix but and not of saleable quality; Short from that I probably should not have pinched, they did not germinate either; Somewhat 2nd sowing, 2/16, maybe in plugs tray most pinched plants did not produce messy as they dropped pollen, on super too long, transplanted 4/28; Not bouquet decent stems, have to be honest, I cannot hot days, they would wilt in the bouquet worthy for my flower farm based on size see myself using campanula in my and I would have to pull them out; Short of flower and the way it flowers; Became bouquets, found it to be sort of awkward in all sowings, weak; Needs plant support/ quickly rootbound in cells, probably and not quite sure how to use it. staking; We had trouble with germination missed the window for transplanting and (direct seeded during a wet, cool period), so missed out on this cultivar for sure. Daucus biggest problem is that I could have Similar Cultivars: Champion. Daucus ‘Dara’ (Harris Seeds) used 4-5 times as much!; Direct-sown Postharvest Recommendations: Cool Good Qualities: Very pretty range of seeds were much more successful than water, out of sun, and Floralife; So colors from white to deep purple (12); transplants; Harder to grow after the third important to harvest before pollination, Prolific (2); Made great filler for bouquets succession, i.e. for September and October; better to cut and hold in cooler than let and wedding design; Grew very easily; May cause skin irritation, wear gloves. pass on plant. NC State conducted vase Super long, sturdy stems; Huge flowers; Similar Cultivars: Ammi ‘Black Knight’ life testing of this cultivar; see article in Very useful for wedding and event work, Postharvest Recommendations: Plain this issue for details. graceful, sturdy stems; Designers love it; water (2); Easy 7-10 days with no special Comments: I think the Pro series is a It was very much liked by a floral designer treatment; We harvest everything into little easier to handle than the regular and a great filler for bouquets, very cold Chrysal hydrator; as long as it had a few Champion; We grow campanula as a hardy, it was the last flower standing hours to drink, we did not have any wilting; fall-planted biennial, so I cannot report after a frost; Absolutely gorgeous form Harvest early, into water, we treated with

The Cut Flower Quarterly 21 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

#2 Chrysal and put in cooler 38F. NC State harvested after the frost, it did not seem to look just like sweetheart roses, this conducted vase life testing of this cultivar; bother the blooms from the later planting, color is especially upright, and the tight see article in this issue for details. still some decent stems in my barn today, flower head did not blow open at all, Comments: Love this! We did two will be planting two dates again in 2016, sturdy plants. plantings and I wish I had done one more also planted ‘Dara’ from GeoSeed side by Problems: Short stem length (5), not for fall, the shades of mauve were perfect side and I did not notice any difference in great for bouquet work; Worms on the for the purples (not blue purples) our the two, harvested many, many buckets of rebloom in October; Late to bloom, very clients were asking for this year; My zone ‘Dara’, this is a great staple to have. small blooms, there needed to be more benefited from starting seed on April 1st buds per stem to make it eye catching; and transplanting 5-6 weeks later, blooms Lisianthus Smaller blooms created a smaller bunch were harvested at least 5-6 weeks earlier; Lisianthus ‘Doublini Blue’ for price; Slower to bloom compared This entry was direct sown in the field; I (Sakata Seed) to ABC series, for straight stems at used it fresh, but then also used the seed Good Qualities: Deep blue/purple farmers’ market, customers prefer pods after the flowers went by; Great for color (8); Long-lasting flowers either bigger ABC, Mariachi, etc. late in the season, takes a long time from cut or on the plant, abundant small, fully Similar Cultivars: None listed sowing to flowering, customers loved the double purple tea-like rose flowers; Postharvest Recommendations: Treat dark color; My favourite this year and the 80% germination; I liked the smaller, with hydrating solution; Plain water; last, saw photos of it called “chocolate more tightly spaced flowers, looks Fresh, clean water; We harvest everything lace” everywhere; I sowed this April 19 like blue spray rose!; Multiple small into Chrysal hydrator and never had any and again June 1, in the greenhouse they blossoms, long lasting, different from issues. were transplanted to the field through black the other lisianthus we grow; Unique Comments: I just love this series for its bio plastic, the first planting was by far the petite-sized blooms that most florists small flowers that are easy to harvest, most productive, started harvest in mid- loved; Very dainty looking; Cute little look great in bouquets; Slow start, July, the longer stems used in bouquets, flowers, great for event work; Great looked sad all summer, blooming in shorter sides in table centres and posts, we size for weddings and wearables; LOVE full force now in November; Lisianthus do not irrigate, our summer was very late these! Doublinis are perfect for personal sown 2/8, transplanted 5/19, bloom starting and our first frost October 17, I still flowers (corsages, boutonnieres) and 8/10; Well received by customers; This was my favorite out of all three Doublini varieties, the color is so deep, I made petite mixed bouquets out of all three Doublini varieties, customers loved them! I was sold out in one weekend of markets and people were asking for them next week; Loved these for our micro- bouquets and for crowns, didn’t use them much in regular bouquets; Seed started 11-25-14, transplanted 3-31-15 (tunnel); We will absolutely be growing more Doublinis next year, they are perfect for event work and very sturdy.

Lisianthus ‘Doublini Rose Pink’ (Sakata Seed) Good Qualities: Nice raspberry color (3); Long-lasting flowers either cut or on the plant, abundant small fully double pink tea like rose flowers, gorgeous small pink flowers; Very popular; Multiple small blossoms, long lasting, different from the other lisianthus we grow; Unique small blooms about one ‘Doublini Blue’ (left), Mariachi Pink (right) inch in diameter; Loved this!! So petite, very dainty; Great for event work; Great The Cut Flower Quarterly 22 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

‘Doublini Rose Pink’ and ‘Doublini White’ ‘Rosita 2 Blue Picotee’ size for weddings and wearables; LOVE 11/25/14, transplanted 3/31/15 (tunnel); Postharvest Recommendations: We these! ‘Rose Pink’ is a slightly more open We will absolutely be growing more harvest everything into Chrysal hydrator flower and has more of a garden rose Doublinis next year, they are perfect for and never had any issues; Plain water look, Doublinis are perfect for personal event work and very sturdy. (2), change water every few days. flowers (corsages, boutonnieres) and Comments: I thought this was the look just like sweetheart roses, most Lisianthus ‘Doublini White’ prettiest color in the series; Lisianthus vigorous of three Doublini colors. (Sakata Seed) sown 3/20, transplanted 6/25, bloom Problems: Short stems (4); Worms on Good Qualities: Nice white (2); Long 8/10, several florists squealed on sight the rebloom in October; Second flush lasting flowers (2) either cut or on the to all the Doublinis ; Well received by stem length very short: 10-12 inches and plant, abundant small fully double white customers and floral designers; Loved it! one to two blooms per stem; Not great for tea like rose flowers; I liked the smaller, very surprised how short it was but still bouquet work, slower to bloom compared more tightly spaced flowers; White loved it; We will absolutely be growing to ABC series, for straight stems at farmers’ very popular, perfect for boutonnieres; more Doublinis next year, they are market, customers prefer bigger ABC, Multiple small blossoms, different perfect for event work and very sturdy. Mariachi, etc., this was my least favorite from the other lisianthus we grow; color of Doublinis because it’s on the Unique petite-sized blooms; Very dainty Lisianthus ‘Rosita 2 Blue Picotee’ mauve side of pink, but still an excellent looking, I did pinch it early on, and got (Sakata Seed) plant which we will definitely grow again. branching and more stems/plant; Great Good Qualities: Nice deep blue and Similar Cultivars: None listed for wearables; Great size for weddings white picotee (6); Cute shape (2); Long Postharvest Recommendations: We and wearables; LOVE these! White was lasting, like this better than other blue harvest everything into Chrysal hydrator the most versatile for us—used in almost picotees we have grown; Small 1½-2¼” and never had any issues; Plain water (2), every boutonniere or corsage this summer, white flower with blue rims, two to six change water every few days. Doublinis are perfect for personal flowers flowers per plant on long strong stems; Comments: Customers loved it and so (corsages, boutonnieres) and look just Nice size of bloom; Customers loved did I! Comments included that it looked like sweetheart roses. the picotee coloration, chose these over like a tea rose, I sold out of this variety Problems: Too short (4); Least robust other colors every time, it was the first in one weekend at markets, within a half of the 3 colors (2), but most useful, one to sell out each farmers’ market, hour at markets, I was sold out for the day; so we’ll just increase production next stronger stems than Laguna picotee, Lisianthus sown 3/20, transplanted 6/25, season; Worms on the rebloom in but not as tall; Great size for weddings bloom 8/10, several florists squealed on October; Small blooms created a small and wearables; Strong stems; Although sight to all the Doublinis; Well received bunch for the price; Second flush stem nothing showy, just a regular lissi, nice by customers and floral designers; Due to length very short: 10-12 inches; Not but not super impressive. wet spring, plugs were held longer than great for bouquet work, slower to bloom Problems: Needed to be netted; Worms they should have been, this contributed to compared to ABC series, for straight on the rebloom in October; Shorter than the shorter stem length; Definitely looks stems at farmers’ market, customers ABCs and Arenas, nice, though; Not like a rose, that can be good or bad, lovely prefer bigger ABC, Mariachi, etc. nearly as vigorous as ABC, or even as addition to bridal work; Seed started Similar Cultivars: None listed. vigorous as ‘Rosita 2 Purple’, much

The Cut Flower Quarterly 23 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

Marigold ‘Eagle Yellow’ Marigold ‘Falcon Yellow’ Marigold ‘Garland Orange’

shorter than ABC, even though we did added significant colour to bouquets found that unless you make an effort to not get the number of stems per square and arrangements; Beautiful flower; keep this done, then you would lose out foot that we’d like for greenhouse Abundant large yellow flowers; One when you really wanted the stems later space, we will grow again for customer of our favorites; Good doubleness and in the season, the plant was not at fault, appreciation, difficult coloration to use flower size; Size of flower; This is a I was late getting into it and part of the in design work—picotee flowers are lovely healthy marigold, for me it would crop was not harvested; We had some too “busy” for our work; Second flush be better suited as a tall bedding plant, fungal problems with all the marigolds stem length around 12 inches—very constant bloom for a good presentation, in September, the plants went down short; None; Flowers were small, not I did use this one in a few events, it was fast, deadheaded the first two weeks, super showy. long lasting and had a nice bright colour bloomed out too short to harvest without Similar Cultivars: ‘Arena Picotee Blue’; with good-sized blooms; Productive, cutting down the entire plant; Really too ‘ABC Blue Picotee’, but this is more helpful addition to our June and July branching for our work, we cut whole delicate, graceful, and shorter; ‘Super offerings; Different color from regular tops & were able to get 4-5 side shoots, Magic Blue Picotee’. yellow marigolds; Japanese beetles were but not as productive as other marigolds, Postharvest Recommendations: We not as attracted to this one as to ‘Falcon also, regrowth was unusable (too short); harvest everything into Chrysal hydrator Yellow’, however, beetles do like yellow Small flower heads, susceptible to fungus, and never had any issues; Plain water marigolds more than orange, one week woodchucks loved this variety; Yielded (2), change water every few days. earlier than ‘Eagle Yellow’; Lightest fewer cuts. Comments: Nice, but did not stand out yellow of the marigolds, high petal Similar Cultivars: ‘Giant Yellow’; Gold (2); Everyone who has seen this flower count, straight stems. Coin; ‘Inca II Yellow’, ‘Falcon Yellow’. loves it; Sown 1/30, transplanted 5/19, Problems: Too short for cut flowers Postharvest Recommendations: Plain bloom 8/15, color not needed much, (7); Large flower easily breaks (2); Weak water (2); Cool water and Floralife; Pro2. these would have been better in a high stems; The yellow varieties were shorter Comments: Very healthy plants, very tunnel; A favorite of customers; Mid to than the other colors we grew; Disease; little if any botrytis or botrytis-like late season variety. Marigolds did not sell well to our farmers’ symptoms, three-inch blooms; We had market customer base; I found it was the same problem with all marigold Marigold very bushy and hard to get a nice long cultivars, in the field they were fine, once Marigold ‘Eagle Yellow’ (AmeriSeed) single stem, it was the shortest of the trial cut we lost many beautiful blossoms as Good Qualities: Bright yellow flower marigolds by at least 10 inches, it may the stem snapped at about 5-6”, also the color (11); Sturdy stems; Strong necks; have been that I was late cutting into the multiple blossoms per plant made them Blossoms were large and showy, they plant to open it up for the longer stems, I difficult to harvest and store, although

The Cut Flower Quarterly 24 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

planted early in our zone (May 13) we blossoms made it difficult to harvest, markets; Falcon was one of the top 3 only had about 3 weeks of production due lack of consumer interest; The larger marigolds for longevity in the vase; This to frost, will try again with transplants as the flower, the quicker the stem breaks; was a great yellow marigold, we liked opposed to direct seeding, not sure if it is The yellow varieties were shorter than this one, it was a great producer and good our growing conditions but we saw very the other colors we grew; Favorite deer colour, good germination and seedling little difference in any of the marigold food until fenced; It was hard to cut long vigour, they are a great addition to the cultivars, colour, yes of course, height, stems, multiple blooms that were large marigold selection, and I did like this cutability, vase life no, unfortunately very broke easily; We had fungal problems one better for a cut flower than ‘Eagle little interest from florists or farmers’ with all our marigolds this year; Needed Yellow’, found the late rain and winds in market customers, they were fine if we support, fell over; Even though taller October made it difficult to keep upright, included them in our bouquets but no one than Eagle, still a bit short for our they had one layer of netting, with posts asked for them; Customer favorite, wish bouquet work; Shorter plants than the placed 9 ft., I did not use more than one more customers liked marigolds, they orange or gold varieties. layer of netting as we find it is too hard are beautiful, striking flowers; Easy to Similar Cultivars: ‘Gold Coin’. to harvest through....especially a dense grow and prolific, but not well received Postharvest Recommendations: plain growing marigold, I will grow this one in our markets, a little short; This would water (2); Handle with care to prevent again; Nice addition to early summer be a great bedding plant; Seed started bent over necks, same as for all marigolds, flowers if brights are something you week 22, transplanted week 28, bloomed remove all foliage to avoid the strong need; Seed started week 22, transplanted week 33; It seems the woodchucks have a marigold odour, we have excellent vase week 28, bloomed week 34, our florists preference for the yellow marigolds, they life under adverse conditions; Cool water don’t usually order marigolds, but we destroyed the yellow ones first. and Floralife. NC State conducted vase use them in our bouquets for grocers life testing of this cultivar; see article in and markets; We have generally found Marigold ‘Falcon Yellow’ (AmeriSeed) this issue for details. “gold” varieties to be stronger than Good Qualities: Attractive medium Comments: Bright yellow flower, love yellow, they don’t break just under the yellow flowers (9); Thick hardy stems; Big these marigolds! customers like them; flower head and their stems are a bit showy blossoms that added lots of colour; Need to find the right customer, although sturdier; Woodchuck favorite. Flowers grow to 3-4 inches in diameter, planted early in our zone (May 13) we pleasing fragrance for marigolds; Tall, had only about 3 weeks of production due Marigold ‘Garland Orange’ large blossoms (4 in.); Long-lasting cut to frost, will try again with transplants as (Harris Seed) flower, could have been even longer opposed to direct seeding, not sure if it is Good Qualities: Deep orange flowers than 14 days in same water, except that our growing conditions but we saw very (7); Large flowers (4); Tall (2); our trial was over, great stem length; Big little difference in any of the marigold Flowers grow to 3-4” in diameter; blooms most close to 4 inch, long stems, cultivars, colour yes of course, height, Most productive variety in trial, finely healthy good germination, ruffled flowers of medium popular colour, nice bloom size; finely cut foliage; form; Long stems, multiple Not much different than blooms, good vase life, no ‘Falcon Yellow’ produces big showy ‘Giant Orange’; Pleasing black spot; Better stem fragrance for marigolds; length than ‘Eagle Yellow’, Long stems; Large some rebloom that was blossoms that added lots of colour; blossoms (3-3 1/2”), very harvestable (2-3 branching productive; Very double; stems), heads were a nice Flowers grow to 3-4 inches in diameter, Stem length, plants were size/ not too huge (were 3” large and bushy; Long vs 4-5 of Optiva, Babuda); pleasing fragrance for marigolds. stems, multiple blooms, Strong stems; Size of good vase life, no black flower; Large pompon spot; Would be good for flowers on long stem, good second cut. cutability, vase life no., unfortunately garland work of other times when just Problems: Japanese beetles like them (2), very little interest from florists or heads are needed; Strong stems; Most beetles preferred this one over all other farmers’ market customers, they were florets, best of the oranges, long straight marigold varieties; Weak neck (2); Lower fine if we included them in our bouquets stems, good second cut. number of stems than other 6 varieties but no one asked for them; Easy to grow Problems: Weak stems (3); Large flowers in the trial; Weak stems and multiple and prolific, but not well received in our break easily; Disease; It was hard to cut

The Cut Flower Quarterly 25 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

Marigold ‘Giant Orange’ Marigold ‘Oriental Deep Gold’ Marigold ‘Gold Storm’

long stems, multiple blooms that were all marigolds were diseased this year, the Marigold ‘Giant Orange’ large broke easily; Japanese beetle first time ever, all marigolds were sown (Johnny’s Selected Seed damage; We had fungal problems with 4-22 and transplanted 5-26; Easy to Good Qualities: Large blossoms (4”) all our marigolds; Need support netting grow and prolific, but not well received (3); Great deep orange color (3); Long - plants fell over; Compared to ‘Giant in our markets; The only drawback to stems (3); Tall (3); Good vase life Orange’, it was weaker stemmed and Garland, and all of the other marigolds (2); Strong stems (2); Productive (2); had less blooms; Susceptible to fungus. in the trial, is their distinctive scent, this Uniform flower size and appearance; Similar Cultivars: ‘Giant Orange’ (3), disappears after a day, but was strong Showy blooms - not much different than ‘Jedi Orange Plus’; ‘Garland Orange’ enough to make staff comment while ‘Garland Orange’; Great addition to has more blooms per plant than ‘Giant we were setting up the vases; I don’t summery bouquets; Would be good for Orange’; Regular orange marigolds. typically grow marigolds because I garland work of other times when just Postharvest Recommendations: Plain don’t use them in my design work, this heads are needed, nice branching habit, water (2). NC State conducted vase life was a prolific variety that was a heavy good stem production; Healthy foliage. testing of this cultivar; see article in this producer, I pinched these plants a few Problems: A little weak in the neck; issue for details. times when they were young so the Weak stems; Disease, late to bloom; It was Comments: I love how they dry, good fully mature plants were very dense hard to cut long stems, multiple blooms color retention; Although planted early almost like a hedge; Seed started week that were large broke easily; Needed in our zone (May 13), we had only about 22, transplanted week 28, bloomed support, fell over; Regrowth is not as 3 weeks of production due to frost, will week 34, our florists don’t usually tall as ‘Optiva’ (but was a bit sturdier), try again with transplants as opposed order marigolds, but we use them in our does not have as many blooms per plant to direct seeding, not sure if it is our bouquets for grocers and markets; This as ‘Optiva’; Contracted fungus at end of growing conditions but we saw very variety the woodchucks left alone for the season; Shortest of the oranges, sprawled, little difference in any of the marigold most part, plants grew over 5 feet tall, not as erect or as many blooms as ‘Jedi’. cultivars, colour yes of course, height, nice strong stems, I find that at farmers’ Similar Cultivars: ‘Garland Orange’ cutability, vase life no, unfortunately markets, customers won’t choose to (3), ‘Giant Orange’ has longer, stronger very little interest from florists or buy marigolds, but if I put them into a stems, the blooms are less double and farmers’ market customers, they were bouquet or as part of CSA, they like it uniform than Garland, also a little lighter fine if we included them in our bouquets and they enjoy how long they last. orange; ‘Jedi Orange Plus’ (2); I find all but no one asked for them, need to find cut flower marigolds to be very similar. the right customer; Love this marigold!

The Cut Flower Quarterly 26 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

Postharvest Recommendations: Keep size heads as ‘Optiva’, reblooms more 48 inches, could be very interested everything clean; Plain water (2); Pro2. quickly than ‘Optiva’ (but a bit shorter in a recommendation for a foliage Comments: I love how they dry, good regrowth); Woodchucks’ least favorite! spray with micronutrients to help with color retention; I would grow this one Problems: Flowers slightly smaller strengthening the neck and upper stem and ‘Optiva Orange’ as our two oranges, than ‘Falcon’ or ‘Eagle’, fewer petals area, if we could prevent the broken both have benefits and are worthwhile, per flower; Out of all the marigolds this necks it would be of great benefit, it for just head production, this marigold one had the weakest necks and often can be frustrating losing about one would be my choice; Although planted broke in transit; Just hard to sell; This third of the stems by the time you get early in our zone (May 13) we had only variety had brittle heads, they broke them from the field to home, this is in about 3 weeks of production due to readily; Disease; It was hard to cut long my mind the biggest challenge with frost, will try again with transplants as stems, multiple blooms that were large growing marigolds as a cut, also some opposed to direct seeding, not sure if it is broke easily; Japanese beetle damage; years spider mites can be challenging our growing conditions but we saw very Needs lots of support to keep upright, as well, however this year was an little difference in any of the marigold ours were planted in a sheltered spot exception, they (spider mites) were not cultivars, colour yes of course, height, but we were somewhat challenged to a problem; I love growing marigolds!; cutability, vase life no., unfortunately, keep them and netting up, this might Seed started week 22, transplanted very little interest from florists or farmers’ not be an issue where they would be week 28, bloomed week 35, our florists market customers, they were fine if we harvested regularity, keep harvested don’t usually order marigolds, but we included them in our bouquets but no to prevent this, also suggest placing use them in our bouquets for grocers Marigold ‘Gold Storm’ one asked for them, need to find the right posts closer together to allow for better and markets; A very worthwhile customer; Easy to grow and prolific, but support; All our marigolds struggled marigold, but we still prefer Optiva for not well received in our markets; Seed with fungal problems; Needed support, straight, single stems in bouquet work; started week 22, transplanted week 28, fell over; As season got cooler, ‘Optiva’ All marigolds become very top heavy bloomed week 34, our florists don’t outperformed ‘Jedi Orange Plus’, it was with rain, should be staked or netted. usually order marigolds, but we use them taller with more regrowth, also, ‘Optiva’ in our bouquets for grocers and markets; stems were more of a single form, these We had a brutal woodchuck infestation were branched and sometimes too large this year, the marigold crop was their for bouquets; Weak stems, susceptible favorite, the woodchucks would break to fungus; Lighter color of flower and off the branches to eat the flower buds, foliage, lower petal count, smallest the ‘Giant Orange’ was their least flower of the oranges. favorite, it suffered the least amount of Similar Cultivars: ‘Giant Orange’ (3); damage, plants were over 5 feet tall, all ‘Garland Orange’ (2). of the marigolds contracted a fungus, but Postharvest Recommendations: Plain ‘Giant Orange’ was the least susceptible water (3); Pro2; Pick in the morning; to the fungus. Cool water and Floralife; Same as for all the others, handle carefully to Marigold ‘Jedi Orange Plus’ prevent bent necks, remove all foliage, (AmeriSeed) and allow yourself extra time to harvest Good Qualities: Great deep orange as we found there was some bent necks color (11); Productive (4); Tall (3); therefore discarded bouquet stems. Large flower head (3); Long stems Comments: I try to harvest and strip (2); Erect stems; Strong stems, good leaves with gloves on as I really think doubleness; Size of flower, length of marigold foliage smells like moth balls stem; This plant grew about 46” tall, which I cannot stand, but the beautiful good bloom size, amazing postharvest full blooms are worth it; Great flower, life, we did get some wet windy good for colour in bouquets, just weather in late September, good problems with people still not loving germination, healthy plants, vigorous, the smell or look of marigolds; Easy to made excellent garlands; Long stems, grow and prolific, but not well received good vase life; Bloomed one week in our markets; Great colour, good Marigold ‘Jedi Orange Plus’ earlier than ‘Optiva Orange’, same stem length, the plant grew around

The Cut Flower Quarterly 28 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

of foliage, same as for all cut flower productive; Very long-lasting in the vase, marigolds; Need support - plants fell good colour that blends well with other over; Some blooms blew open quickly - flowers in bouquets; Size and length of would perhaps work for petals, confetti stems, plants were large; A really nice or just heads, but occasionally we were medium head size marigold, best of trial unable to use all stems because they ones for bouquet work, sturdy stems were too big and blown open; Did not and plants; Large flowers, eye-catching; perform well after days of rain. Strong stems; Excellent germination, Similar Cultivars: ‘Storm Gold’; Slightly was my favorite of the trials, very large lighter yellow than ‘Babuda Deep Gold’, blooms 4½” and sometimes larger, very similarly sturdy to ‘Babuda Deep Gold’, healthy plants, abundance on cut stems we’d probably choose Babuda over this also great for garland use, amazing one because the heads are a bit smaller and postharvest life even under the worst more appropriate for our bouquet work conditions, does not seem to be bothered (but if grower wants garland flowers, I’d by ethylene; Tallest of the yellow choose ‘Oriental Deep Gold’). marigolds, erect stems. Postharvest Recommendations: Plain Problems: Weak stems (2); The large water (2); Handle with care, we did flowers appear lumpy rather than smooth cut this one during the day into water balls of petals; Disease; It was hard to without any problems, remove fragrant cut long stems, multiple blooms that foliage as the customers found odor were large broke easily; Japanese beetle unappealing, placed in #2 Chrysal and damage; We had fungal problems with A sampler of marigold varieties stored in cooler; We harvest everything all our marigolds; Not as much regrowth in the 2015 Trials into Chrysal hydrator and never had any as oranges; Large flowers easily break; issues; Pro2. Attacked by fungus; The necks continue Comments: Easy to grow and prolific, to be a challenge to keep them strong Marigold ‘Oriental Deep Gold’ but not well received in our markets; and upright after cutting, I would be (AmeriSeed) One of the top marigolds for longevity interested in learning about a foliage Good Qualities: Amazing color in in our vase trial, stayed fresh for two spray of nutrients that would promote between orange and yellow (11); Nice weeks, marigolds should be used more stronger stems. to have a softer shade of orange; Strong as a cut flower, the only drawback being Similar Cultivars: ‘Oriental Deep Gold’ stems (2); Nice large heads great for the initial strong smell; This one grew the (2), less double than Oriental though; bouquets; Tall, large blossoms, very tallest of all the marigolds we trialed, the ‘Giant Orange’, ‘Jedi Orange Plus’; Very productive; Very long lasting in the blooms were huge, it is a very impressive similar dark gold to ‘Babuda Gold’. vase, the flowers are so double that variety, the vase life is remarkable, the Equally strong, good plant. I have no they resemble chrysanthemum balls!; colour excellent; Seed started week 22, preference over ‘Babuda’ vs. ‘Storm Gold’ Size of flower, length of stem, large transplanted week 28, bloomed week 35, (and ‘Babuda Gold’ has traditionally been tall plants; Color is good to mix with our florists don’t usually order marigolds, our favorite gold). lots of things; Works well with many but we use them in our bouquets for Postharvest Recommendations: Cool of the sunflowers, large blooms make grocers and markets; We used these as water and Floralife; We harvest everything a bouquet fill up quickly, makes really part of our last marigold succession, so I into Chrysal hydrator and never had any nice garlands; Looks great in bouquets can’t comment on regrowth; Woodchuck issues; Pro2; Plain water; Be careful of the with blues and purples for a summery favorite; These were really nice multi- neck to avoid bending, remove all foliage effect, flower subscriptions customers flowered stems that created nice faces as it has an undesirable odour, placed in loved these!; No black spot, long stems, and really filled grocery bouquets; Not #2 Chrysal and stored in cooler. NC State multiple blooms; Huge heads; Flower much visible difference between ‘Storm conducted vase life testing of this cultivar; heads nice and large but not so large as Gold’ and ‘Oriental Deep Gold’. see article in this issue for details. to break stems like some marigolds. Comments: One of top 3 Marigolds for Problems: Disease; Hard to cut long Marigold ‘Storm Gold’ (AmeriSeed) lasting quality in the vase; My favorite stems, multiple blooms that were large Good Qualities: Really nice gold shade marigold, I love this color; Although broke easily; Japanese beetles; None (6); Productive plants of good height; planted early in our zone (May 13), we specific to this variety, just the same Nice large heads, great for bouquets; Big had only about 3 weeks of production weak neck, and the need to remove all bold blooms; Tall, large blossoms, very due to frost, will try again with The Cut Flower Quarterly 28 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials transplants as opposed to direct seeding, not sure if it is our growing conditions but we saw very little difference in any Sunflower ‘Helios Flame’ faces forward, with of the marigold cultivars, colour yes of course, height, cutability, vase life no., a slender, strong stem that florists prefer, unfortunately very little interest from florists or farmers’ market customers, broad overlapping petals give a full look they were fine if we included them in our bouquets but no one asked for them, to a large, 5 to 6 inch flower. need to find the right customer; Easy to grow and prolific, but not well received in our markets; Woodchucks love this variety, post-woodchuck, plant reached ‘Procut Bicolor’, but did not make a that traditional sunflower harvest; Center 2½ feet; I liked this marigold and found formal comparison; Strong stems; Cute disk oozed sap. this year my customers are getting more shape; The colour is good for fall, harvest Similar Cultivars: ‘ProCut Bicolor’ (3); receptive to the ‘marigold stigma’, most window a bit wider than ProCuts, it was a ‘Orange Mahogany’; Flowers reminded Islanders do not enjoy marigolds and it good colour for a dark sun, the yellow tips me a bit of ‘Chocolate’, but bigger and takes them actually purchasing a bouquet added some light giving it some added with more variation. without really knowing they have presence, I would grow this again; Good Postharvest Recommendations: Plain marigolds in the mix, once they see the flower head and stem size for bouquets; water (2); Pro2; Chlorine tablets; Cut vase life they usually become marigold Single stem; A nice branching bicolor, when just unfurling to avoid petal drop/ fans, they do require some deadheading good for fall work and wedding work damage; Cut them at just opening, they in order to keep the ideal longer stems calling for light/dark contrast, germinated shatter easily. NC State conducted vase in production, they need to be kept easily, we actually got usable side shoots, life testing of this cultivar; see article in harvested even though they may not be often branching suns do not branch long this issue for details. required, failure to do so will result in enough for us to use; Good vase life; Comments: Beautiful sunflower, cus- fewer saleable stems later in the season Faces forward, slender strong stem that tomers snapped them up!; Flowers when they are most popular, also they florists prefer, broad overlapping petals 9 days earlier if given short days in are most popular later in the season with give a full look, large 5 to 6 inch flower. seedling stage, branching stems; I sunflowers, the plants were very healthy Problems: None (2); Early petal drop planted these several times, found the and treated twice with a preventative (2); We seeded in cells to transplant, later plantings better quality stems spray for spider mite control, prolonged they became VERY leggy compared to and the colour was more acceptable wet weather caused a bit of botrytis on all other varieties; Very few laterals with in the fall, germination was excellent, the blooms but it did not seem to bother varying stem length; the foliage, this is a recommended Found the stem neck a variety to grow here on PEI, continuous bit floppy, rather a more bloom and earlier to start than most of solid stem to prevent the taller varieties (the above paragraph downward facing, the info is the same for all of the varieties/ neck was a bit soft and colour we had in the trials). needed propping; Some stems toppled over, Sunflower long to bloom from Sunflower ‘Helios Flame’ seed, much variation in (Harris Seeds) seed packet (yellow and Good Qualities: Beautiful golden black, cream and black, yellow with a reddish purple ring and and mauve and black) dark disk (12); Quick blooming (55 - this could be good or days) (2); Contrast is well-defined; bad depending on needs, More sophisticated than orange/black tricky to cut at just right bicolor - had some red/mauve coloration; stage, seemed to mature Not as dramatic as ‘Procut Bicolor’ but slowly and then pop open nice; Vase life appears to be longer than all at once- a bit different Sunflower ‘Helios Flame’

The Cut Flower Quarterly 29 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

Sunflower ‘Starburst Greenburst’ Sunflower ‘ProCut Gold’

six to eight inch spacing, the earlier Sunflower ‘ProCut Brilliance’ flower, what customers think of when plantings produced several side shoots (SeedSense) they head to market to buy sunflowers, developing just before the main stem Good Qualities: Bright and sunny good petal retention; Slightly stronger was harvested, these sides were about yellow color with a dark center (9); A plant than ‘Procut Gold’, same head size 5-9” average, I will probably grow vibrant, sunny yellow vs. more traditional as ‘Procut Orange’, bloomed as quickly again but a limited amount and only “orange” suns like ‘ProCut Orange’, as ‘Procut Orange’; Very nice sunflower, 2-3 sowings aiming for a mid Sept, ‘Sunrich Orange’, etc.; 4½-5” blooms; was a customer favorite; Pointed double early Oct and mid Oct harvest, July 16 Shape; Early blooming, medium sized ray flowers are loosely arranged but planting we harvested Sept 21, planted flower; Probably my favorite ProCut, abundant looking, thin sturdy stem. twice earlier but honestly did not very consistent bloom and harvest time, Problems: None (2); Animals eat them; harvest as they were not what people also harvested in October in about 48 Some of the seed heads got so big wanted during the summer months, I like these better than the similar shade of ProCut; We had a lot of deformity problems with our sunflowers this year; ‘ProCut Brilliance’: A nice-looking Flowers were small-about 2.5 inches in diameter; We hate bicolors and liked traditional sunflower, what customers this one!!; Made first planting in late May, planted for single stems, after think of when they head to market to first cutting, stems branched nicely and I got a very nice second cutting, buy sunflowers, good petal retention. second cutting flowers were slightly smaller, did a second planting later in season, got only one cutting from late planting; Seed started week 25, days on shorter stems than is typical for they were unsaleable, cultivar finished transplanted week 28, bloomed week this cultivar, I think that was due to short blooming by mid-August, so there were 33, transplanting delays downy mildew; days; Uniform growth and flowering no later fall sales when sunflowers are Best color developed in part shade in time, daylength neutral; Traditional most popular here; Slight bending of our hot climate, varying shades/amount sunflower look—liked by many and necks compared to other varieties, but of rusty red brush strokes radiating very easy to grow; Strong stems; Not not terrible; Shorter vaselife; necks from center. too large; A nice-looking traditional crooked over, these were harvested

The Cut Flower Quarterly 30 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

Sunflower ‘ProCut Gold’ Sunflower ‘ProCut Red’

during an extremely wet period when all Sunflower ‘ProCut Gold’ (SeedSense) ProCut has fewer petals, but is faster; sunflower stems felt a bit “watery”, but Good Qualities: Bright orange-yellow ‘ProCut Yellow Lite’. these seemed less sturdy than ‘ProCut petals with a green-yellow disk (12); Postharvest Recommendations: Cut Orange’; The golden brown disk turns Nice sunflower size heads (4); Strong early in day (2), as flower starts to dingy brown, short. stems (2); Short harvest window, unfurl; Plain water (2); Chlorine tablets; Similar Cultivars: Perfect looking sun- accurate bloom dates, disease free, good Pro2; Cooler, cool water and Floralife, flower. germination, aphids don’t seem to enjoy out of the sun. Postharvest Recommendations: Plain the ProCuts as much as Sunbrights and Comments: Easy sell; ProCut series is a water (2); Cut in the coolest part of the Sunrich; Shape; Good petal retention, reliable one, this is not a favorite of mine, day; Chlorine tablets; Pro2; Cut stems nice addition to traditional-looking I find the Sunrich and Sunbrights are regularly, fresh and clean water; Cool sunflowers, customers constantly asked more traditional looking and certainly water and Floralife, out of the sun in why these sunflowers did not have a have a longer vase life, the long petals and cooler or cool area. NC State conducted brown center!; Due to the yellow center small centers are opposite of what I am vase life testing of this cultivar; see of this sunflower I feel it would be better looking for in a cut sun, when florists are article in this issue for details. suited for spring; Uniform growth and choosing from Suns in our cooler, they Comments: Promising to replace the flowering time, daylength neutral; Had always choose Sunbright and Sunrich standard variety, ‘Sunrich Orange’, because a ring of pollen at outer edge of center; over the ProCuts, if bouquet material was of the daylength neutrality of ‘ProCut was actually very pretty; Overlapping needed for a particular date, the ProCut Brilliance’; 55 days; Golden-yellow petals petals with full appearance. series is very dependable, responds well with a dark brown center; I believe it was Problems: None (2); Animals eat them; to dry storage in cooler (up to 8 days our year that all sunflowers trialed were Customers not keen on green center; before rehydrating), surprisingly, the dry done blooming by mid-August - too soon Many of ours had dark centers, instead stored, once hydrated have a longer vase for fall sales; Love it! easy to sell; I used to of the gold centers; Shorter vaselife; life then ones placed directly in water, I grow a lot of ProCuts in the past but have necks crooked over quickly, these were realize this has nothing to do with this not in the past 5 years because I was always harvested during an extremely wet variety, but I did find they responded frustrated with their bendy, weak necks, this period when all sunflower stems felt well to dry storage, the gold colour variety changed my mind and will probably a bit “watery”, but these seemed less was pleasing, especially for late August grow in the future; Seed started week 25, sturdy than ‘ProCut Orange’; Too short, through September, these were sown 4 transplanted week 28, bloomed week 33, small; The gold part of disk too soon times: June 9, June 28, July 7 and Aug 4, transplanting delays downy mildew. turns dingy brown. I did not notice any difference in growth Similar Cultivars: ‘Sunrich Gold’ (2); from the varied sowings, all had much

The Cut Flower Quarterly 31 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

the same flowering times, if the weather/ it is never going to be a big part of our side buds, growing closely to the main growing conditions were favourable, sun offering, but a necessary colour, bloom, they had to be removed, after the they did produce some decent sides, good germination, even growth, aphids main stem was removed, the sides that although not consistent; Short due to and mildew not a significant problem, I were produced were less than 6” long spring planting sturdy with good color; would like it if they would develop an and not usable; None; Found that the We had a lot of deformities in our upward-facing red sun with stronger petals were more prone to insect damage sunflowers this year; This sunflower was petals; 4-inch flowers at 6-inch spacing; than traditional varieties, noticed a not popular with my customer base, they Will definitely not grow this one again, shorter vase life than other varieties; Our did not care for the greenish center; Seed customers did love the unique color customers generally do not like double started week 25, transplanted week 28, but I did not sell many because of the suns, is a branching form, but side shoots bloomed week 33, transplanting delays weak necks, I tried postharvest into of all Starbursts were too short to use, downy mildew. warm water, soapy water, cool water and could perhaps pinch top bud to get longer never had success with the droopy neck shoots; Only cut as a single because Sunflower ‘ProCut Red’ (SeedSense) problem; Likely need to succession seed branches were too short to cut. Good Qualities: Rusty red color (17); to get continuous production; ‘ProCut Similar Cultivars: ‘Starburst Panache’ Nice color for fall (2); Black center; Red’ was a very short plant, the color is (2), except for some of the centers; Consistent timing and harvest window; very strange, customers would comment ‘Double Quick’ however, liked ‘Starburst Daylength neutral; Holds its petals better on its uniqueness but did not purchase it; Greenburst’ better. than other reds we have grown in the Seed started week 25, transplanted week Postharvest Recommendations: Plain past; Single stem; Size of flower and long 28, bloomed week 33, transplanting water (2); Cool water Floralife and out strong stems; Seeded 7/28, so short days delays downy mildew. of sun; Pro2; Chlorine tablets; Cut before mean smaller head size, was nice for fall too mature, find the outer petals turn event work, we liked this one!; A good cut Sunflower ‘Starburst Greenburst’ back making the bloom look tired; Fresh, whether cut immature or fully open, dark (SeedSense) clean water. NC State conducted vase life slender stem, faces forward. Good Qualities: Bright yellow petals testing of this cultivar; see article in this Problems: Petals drop off very easy (5), with green center (7); Unique flower (3), issue for details. no matter how gently they are handled; outer pointed long orange outer petals Comments: This sunflower reminds Very bendy and weak necks!!! (3); merging to short inner green ones; Easy to me of the spider gerbera daisies with Misshapen heads (2); Color was not grow; strong stems, size of flower; Love “hairy like” quills, I really love this one consistent, some deep red, some lighter the look of this, not the typical sunflower; especially for spring and summer, the bronze (2); Animals eat them, hang Attractive; Very prolific; Six to 8-inch center has a bit of green whereas the down; Not bright red like I had hoped; flower diameter which is the perfect size similar ‘Starburst Panache’ has a darkness One week later than most varieties in the for me; Early flowering, profuse bloomer to the center; Flowers 8 days later if given trial, short vase life; Some of ours had a with long sturdy stem; Best branching short days in the seedling stage: long-day bicolor appearance; Doesn’t sell well in sunflower we’ve grown, just different response; Pinched plants produced 3-4” June or July; Necks crooked easier than enough to sell; Anything with a green blooms, plants not pinched produced 6” ‘ProCut Orange’, but seemed stronger center looks fresh and bright, pleasant and blooms, pinched plants bloomed about than ‘ProCut Brilliance’ and ‘Gold’; Some interesting change from traditional suns; 5 days later; This was not a customer variance in shades of dark red. Great novelty sunflower, long-stemmed, favorite, my clientele prefers the more Similar Cultivars: None listed. well-branched plants after a pinch; Had traditional yellow or orange sunflower Postharvest Recommendations: Pick a modern, funky look; Lots of blooms with a dark center; Customers were less when they are barely opening (2); Plain branching all the way to the ground. than enthusiastic about the color, they water (2); Chlorine tablets; Harvest with Problems: Had some that had irregular chose the dark-centered sunflower every special care, petals fall very easily, usually middles; I planted very close together to time; I probably will try it again next before you get home from the field there try to prevent branching (about 3 inches season, I found it offered a nice change are some missing; Pro2; Cut in the coolest apart), they still branched, branches were that people enjoyed, this one was sown part of the day; Cool water and Floralife not usable; Branching habit may inhibit May 16, June 1, June 15, June 29, July out of sun. NC State conducted vase life commercial use; Customers preferred the 7, and July 16, I found the later sowings testing of this cultivar; see article in this more standard sunflower look and did not did not have as many small buds near the issue for details. care for the green centre, done blooming main bloom, there were some aphids, I did Comments: A good red to include in too early; Not a customer favorite; plant ‘Starburst Lemon Aura’ this year as fall bouquets; Nice and tall but will not Animals eat them; Petals were messy well, the lemon colour works really well grow again; I sow this one every year, looking—too shaggy; A large amount of in summer bouquets, it is my favorite

The Cut Flower Quarterly 32 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials new sun this season; I planted a tight type; Flowers are a bit large; Animals eat I found with the heavy flower head, 4”x4” spacing so I did not get branching them; Softer stem near the heavy flower if they were deprived of hydration the and treated them as a single stem variety, head gave potential for bent over bloom, head would nod forward.... it was hard I would not grow this variety in large as they are side facing there is potential to revive after; Cool water Floralife and quantities in the future but it is nice for for them to look tired before their time, out of sun. NC State conducted vase life “something different”; Seed started week also short side buds were present, we testing of this cultivar; see article in this 25, transplanted week 28, bloomed week did however harvest some decent sides, issue for details. 33, transplanting delays downy mildew. following the main stem harvest; None; Comments: Nice novelty sunflower, Kind of a muddier look with the darker bloomed in about 70 days; All the Sunflower ‘Starburst Panache’ center; Our customers generally do not sunflowers I trialed were direct seeded (SeedSense) like double suns, is a branching form, but once in the spring into field conditions, Good Qualities: Outer pointed long side shoots of all Starbursts were too short they bloomed very early mid July and orange outer petals merging to short to use, could perhaps pinch top bud to get were done by mid August, this timing did inner dark ones (8); Loved unusual longer shoots, this one was especially not match up well with my customers’ flower appearance (4); Strong stems (3); unappealing in early summer (when we timing, I may need to succession plant Attractive; Daylength neutral; Closer to a trialed) because the dark brown/orange to alleviate this problem; Customers traditional sunflower, but still not what the center felt very fall-like; The middles wanted dark-centered sunflowers, not a customer really wanted, many saleable were brown making the sunflowers look first choice for buyers; We had a lot of stems; Long stems; Good branching bad or dirty; Only cut as a single because deformity problems with our sunflowers sunflower, just different enough to sell; branches were too short to cut, golden this year; This has been in our sunflower Pleasant change from the usual Suns, brown center had a “dirty” appearance. plantings for several years, we will really enjoy this one; Well branching, long Similar Cultivars: ‘Starburst Greenburst’ continue to grow, we sowed the seed stem length after a pinch, medium sized (2); ‘Double Quick’ however, liked ‘Starburst June 13, June 28, July 27, and Aug 4, 3-4” blooms; Size of flower; Productive. Panache’ better. the harvest window did not vary much Problems: Cucumber beetles love it too, Postharvest Recommendations: Pro2; between the various plantings, usually don’t really open up as well if you cut Chlorine tablets; Plain water; Harvest a wider window than with the ProCuts, when just unfurling, have to wait until before mature for longest vase life, I did more like 7-8 days, good germ and even it is unfurled then you have to deal with not experiment with cutting this one and growth in trays; Seed started week 25, potential insect damage; Blossom style storing dry, we cut and placed in water transplanted week 28, bloomed week 33, was not what my customers were looking with #2 Chrysal, they were harvested transplanting delays downy mildew. for - they prefer the more traditional and placed directly in water in the field,

COMING IN 2016!

Calling All Lily Growers! Horticulture Section, Cornell University If you: l Have three or more years’ experience growing cut fl ower lilies in the fi eld, tunnel or greenhouse l Have space for up to 25 bulbs of about twenty varieties l Are an organized and responsibile record-keeper l Will commit to a season-long project, including keeping and submitting data l Want to see your name in future issues of The Cut Flower Quarterly

We need YOU as one of twelve participants in the fi rst ASCFG Cut Flower Lily Trial! Contact Judy by January 31 at [email protected] for details.

The Cut Flower Quarterly 33 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

2015 ASCFG Seed Trial Results. The fi rst row of data for each cultivar is the average and the second row is the range of responses. Note when only one response is listed, either only one person responded for that category or several responded and all gave the same rating. The single highest score and the single lowest score in each category for each cultivar have been dropped. Species Ease of Average Yield Stem Market Repeat Cultivar length appreciation again cultivation postharvest (stems/plant)   Company (inches) rating rating rating life (days) Campanula 2.3 13.0 3.3 2.5 3.0 8.7 ‘Champion Pro Deep Blue' 1-12 3-18 1-5 1-5 1-5 3-14 Sakata

Daucus 14.4 23.9 4.5 4.6 4.2 11.0 ‘Dara’ 1-58 10-48 1-5 2-5 1-5 5-20 Harris Seeds

Lisianthus 3.0 14.1 4.2 4.2 3.8 13.3 ‘Doublini Blue’ 1-10 8-25 2-5 2-5 2-5 7-21 Sakata

Lisianthus 3.8 14.4 4.3 4.5 4.0 13.0 ‘Doublini Rose Pink’ 1-10 8-21 3-5 3-5 3-5 7-21 Sakata

Lisianthus 3,7 12.8 4.3 4.6 4.1 13.1 ‘Doublini White’ 1-10 8-20 2-5 3-5 2-5 7-21 Sakata

Lisianthus 2.8 16.2 4.3 4.5 3.9 12.8 ‘Rosita 2 Picotee’ 1-20 8-24 3-5 3-5 3-5 7-14 Sakata

Marigold 9.3 15.9 3.2 2.6 4.4 11.5 ’Eagle Yellow’ 3-38 6-30 1-4 1-5 3-5 7-21 AmeriSeed

Marigold 11.6 20.3 3.4 3.9 4.6 12.8 ’Falcon Yellow’ 3-36 12-48 1-5 1-5 3-5 7-21 AmeriSeed

Marigold 14.1 20.8 3.6 3.7 4.3 11.9 ‘Garland Orange’ 5-40 8-48 1-5 1-5 1-5 7-21 AmeriSeed

Marigold 11.1 21.2 3.6 3.9 4.5 12.0 ’Giant Orange’ 3-55 10-48 1-5 1-5 3-5 10-21 AmeriSeed

Marigold 14.4 22.0 3.8 3.7 4.5 12.0 ‘Jedi Orange Plus’ 3-54 9-48 1-5 1-5 3-5 7-21 AmeriSeed

Marigold 12.8 20.0 3.7 3.9 4.5 12.6 ‘Oriental Deep Gold’ 2-54 12-40 1-5 1-5 3-5 7-21 AmeriSeed

Marigold 13.8 18.6 3.2 3.4 4.6 12.9 ‘Storm Gold’ 3-40 8-48 1-5 1-5 3-5 7-21 AmeriSeed

 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesales, retailers, or fi nal consumers direct.

The Cut Flower Quarterly 34 Volume 28, Number 1 Seed Trials

2015 ASCFG Seed Trial Results. The fi rst row of data for each cultivar is the average and the second row is the range of responses. Note when only one response is listed, either only one person responded for that category or several responded and all gave the same rating. The single highest score and the single lowest score in each category for each cultivar have been dropped. Species Stem Market Repeat Ease of Average Yield Cultivar length appreciation again cultivation postharvest (stems/plant)   Company (inches) rating rating rating life (days)

Sunfl ower 1.3 41.4 4.2 4.3 4.9 9.2 ‘Helios Flame’ 1-5 14--60 3-5 2-5 4-5 7.12 Harris Seeds

Sunfl ower 1.0 39.0 4.4 4.4 4.9 8.5 ‘Procut Brilliance’ 1-2 18-72 2-5 2-5 2-5 7-12 SeedSense

Sunfl ower 1.0 38.9 3.9 4.2 4.9 8.2 ‘Procut Gold’ 1-2 18-80 1-5 1-5 3-5 4-12 SeedSense

Sunfl ower 1.0 45.4 3.7 3.9 4.9 6.8 ‘Procut Red’ 1 18-75 2-5 2-5 4-5 5-12 SeedSense

Sunfl ower 1.8 36.2 3.9 4.2 4.9 8.1 ‘Starburst Greenburst’ 1-9 12-65 2-5 2-5 2-5 5-14 SeedSense

Sunfl ower 2.1 35.7 3.8 3.9 4.8 9.3 ‘Starburst Panache’ 1-9 12-65 1-5 1-5 4-5 5-14 SeedSense

The Cut Flower Quarterly 35 Volume 28, Number 1