Campanula Persicifolia ‘Takion Blue’
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culturec onnection perennial solutions Campanula persicifolia ‘Takion Blue’ By Paul Pilon This bellfl ower, a seed-propagated F1 hybrid, is a garden stunner with long, narrow leaves and upward-facing blue-violet fl owers. ellfl owers have long of production make ‘Takion Blue’ drained medium with a slightly been a favorite peren- ideal for many commercial peren- acidic pH of 5.5-6.0. Most commer- nial of gardeners, nial growers and a show stopper in cially available peat- or bark-based landscapers and com- the garden center. growing mixes work well, provided mercial growers. There there is adequate drainage. For best Bare numerous species in produc- Propagation q u a l it y, g r ow i n pr o du c t io n f a c i l it i e s tion, each offering a different set of Campanula ‘Takion Blue’ is an with high light intensities. When characteristics and uses. Campanula F1 hybrid propagated from seed. planting, take care to not bury the persicifolia has historically been The seeds are small and may be dif- crown of the plant too deeply. After used as a cut fl ower or backdrop fi cult to handle; sow multiple seeds potting, the original soil line of the in landscape settings as it com- per cell. Do not cover the seed with plug should be even with the sur- monly reaches 2-4 feet tall while germination mix or vermiculite face of the growing medium of the blooming. after sowing, as they require light new container. Planting them too American Takii, Inc. (www.takii. for germination. Moisten the seed deeply will lead to crop variability com) recently introduced an out- fl ats and move them into a warm and losses. standing F1 hybrid called ‘Takion environment where temperatures Campanula can be grown using Blue’, a genetically compact variety can be maintained at 66-70° F for light to moderate fertility levels. that produces an abundance of lav- germination. It is benefi cial to ger- Growers using water-soluble fertil- ender-blue fl owers. Like other peach- minate campanula in a chamber izers apply 75- to 100-ppm nitrogen leafed bellfl ower cultivars, the leaves where you can maintain uniform with every irrigation or use 200 are long and narrow, resembling moisture levels and temperatures. ppm as needed. Before planting, Photos: American Takii, Inc. those of the peach tree. This dwarf Seedlings typically emerge controlled-release fertilizers can be cultivar reaches 16 to 20 inches when within seven to 10 days of sowing. incorporated at a rate equivalent to in bloom and produces multiple fl ow- Reduce moisture levels after ger- 1.0 pound of elemental nitrogen per ering branches in the late spring and mination, allowing the growing yard of growing medium or applied into the summer. One of the most medium to dry out slightly before as a top-dress onto the media surface notable attributes of ‘Takion Blue’ watering. Fertilizers are usu- using the medium recommended is that its fl owers are held facing up ally applied once the true leaves rate on the fertilizer label. The and out — while many varieties’ are are present, applying 100-ppm roots can be sensitive to high fer- dangling or facing down — which nitrogen every third irrigation or tility levels, especially under warm reveals their richly colored 2- to 2½ - 50 ppm with every irrigation, using growing conditions; maintain low inch wide blooms. a balanced, water-soluble source. It fertility levels under unseasonably Campanula persicifolia performs takes six to seven weeks for plugs warm production temperatures. well throughout USDA Hardiness grown at 65° F in 288-cell trays to Grow plants under average Zones 3 to 8 and AHS Heat Zones reach a transplantable size. irrigation regimes; ‘Takion Blue’ 9 to 1. With its compact growing does not tolerate wet or overly dry habit and showy blooms, ‘Takion Production growing conditions. When irriga- Blue’ can be grown in patio pots, ‘Takion Blue’ is suitable for tion is necessary, water them thor- mixed containers or as houseplants; production in medium-sized con- oughly then allow the soil to dry in the garden, it is used as an accent tainers; 5-inch to gallon pots work slightly between waterings. You plant, in border plantings or as cut well. Campanula performs best may need to increase the leach frac- fl owers. Its fl ower power and ease when grown in a moist, well- tion under warm temperatures to 34 GPN May 2010 www.gpnmag.com culturec onnection signifi cant injury to the crop. None Forcing fi ve to six weeks. They can also be of these insect pests require pre- ‘Takion Blue’ can be forced into grown in unheated structures or ventive control strategies, but rou- bloom and are most commonly in outdoor production facilities for tine scouting programs should produced for early- to midseason slightly later sales periods. detect their presence early enough sales. They have an obligate cold to determine whether control strat- requirement for fl owering. They Availability egies are necessary. can be either vernalized as a large Seed of campanula ‘Takion Blue’ prevent salts from accumulating in Under the proper environmental plug (72-cell or larger) or bulked is available to growers through the root zone. and cultural conditions, campanula up in the fi nal container size for American Takii, Inc. (www.takii. ‘Takion Blue’ reaches about half also can generally be produced at least six weeks before providing com). Plugs can be acquired from the height of many C. persicifolia without the occurrence of plant the necessary cold treatment. Pro- many reputable perennial plug cultivars when fl owering and will pathogens. But several pathogens, vide at least six to nine weeks of producers or plant brokers. GPN usually not require height control including Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cer- cold temperatures (less than 44° F) strategies. One or two 2,500-ppm coseptoria, Phyllosticta and rust can before forcing them in the spring. Paul Pilon is a horticultural con- applications of daminozide (B-Nine cause foliar leaf spots; and crown Following the cold treatment, sultant, owner of Perennial Solu- or Dazide), seven days apart, can be and root rots can be caused by the they will fl ower under any pho- tions Consulting (www.perennial- effective at reducing plant height pathogens Fusarium, Pythium, toperiod (day neutral) and can be solutions.com), and author of Peren- when applied just as the fl ower Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium. forced into bloom under natural nial Solutions: A Grower’s Guide to stems are beginning to elongate. Manage the environment and pre- day lengths. The length of the pho- Perennial Production. He can be vent these pathogens by providing toperiod has no effect on the time reached at 616.366.8588 or paul@ Insects and Diseases proper plant spacing, adequate air to fl ower; however, plants will perennial-solutions.com. Campanula can generally be movement, humidity control, good be slightly shorter when they are grown free of insects; aphids, cat- fertility and watering practices, or, grown under short days. erpillars, leafhoppers, slugs, spider if desired, a preventive fungicide The time to fl ower after vernal- LearnMore mites, thrips and whitefl ies may program using the appropriate ization is a function of tempera- For more information appear occasionally but without crop protection products. related to this article, go to ture; at 65-68° F, they will fl ower in www.gpnmag.com/lm.cfm/gp051005 Everyone loves a little green. Green is the color of life, of propagation, of environmental responsibility. As a business professional, you know it also happens to be the color of money. At T.O. Plastics, we re-use and recycle as a matter of course – and we know the value of an economic solution. Our plastic containers, fl ats and trays provide the highest standards of quality, reasonably priced. The competition is green with envy. 320.558.2407 www.toplastics.com PO Box 37 830 County Road 75 Clearwater, MN 55320 write in 130 write in 129 www.gpnmag.com May 2010 GPN 35.