Project description:
Our objective is to help
Maryland Cut Flower Commercial growers evaluate whether new cultivars of
specialty cut flowers are adapted for the Maryland market. We were supplied
with plugs of Lisianthus (Eustoma latifolia) series, Dianthus plants from
Pan American Seed Company. Pollenless sunflower varieties and Monarda didyma
‘Panorama Red’ from Benary Seed Company, Germany. Cramer Posie Patch in
beautiful southeastern Pennsylvania supplied several crested and a wheat-type
celosia and tapestry millet. Besides testing these varieties at the Central
Maryland Research and Education Center we had cooperation from five Maryland
growers and one Virginia grower. The growers evaluated and collected data
on the lisianthus, monarda and dianthus cultivars during the 1999 season.
Growing methods:
Each of the varieties we
tested at CMREC were grown in 4" elevated beds with 4 ml black plastic
and 2 trickle tapes laid down under each row of plastic. Three-inch holes
were made in the plastic and the plugs were placed into the opening. The
lisianthus from Pan American Seed company were started by a Florida greenhouse
operation and shipped to CMREC. The plugs were approx. size. The
sunflowers and celosia were direct sown in early June of 1999. The monarda
was started as seed in a Maryland greenhouse, then transferred out to the
field.
The following are our
results:
Sunflower
One of the outstanding sunflowers
was ‘Ikarus.’ This variety had an abundance of dark colored flower heads
surrounded by bright yellow rays. This was one of our favorite sunflowers.
' Ikarus' branched from the base of the plant on strong stems. The
sunflower ‘Ring of Fire’ is a good bi-color sunflower that performed well
at the Research Center. It tended to branch high on the plant with good
length to the flower stems. Sunflower ‘Soraya’ produced an abundance
of flowers that are orange and about 5 – 6 inches in diameter. Though it
is profuse in the number of blooms, it paled in comparison to the beauty
of ‘Ikarus’. Sunflower ‘Sole’ has an attractive flower that is gold
colored in the center surrounded by light yellow rays. The first harvest
was from flowers at the top of the plant but after it was cut on top it
started to branch lower on the plant.
Monarda
Benary Seed Company suggested
that we try Monarda ‘ Panorama Red Shades’, a hardy perennial that produces
24” long stems. We started plants in the greenhouse on February 15,1999
and transplanted out to the field on June 1. The plants grew well all summer
but we did not have any flowering in the first season. The foliage was
clean of powdery mildew throughout the summer into the early fall.
This is a real plus since the Achilles heel of monarda has been its susceptibility
to powdery mildew. We will continue to evaluate ‘Panorama Red Shades’ in
2000 at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center.
Dianthus
Pan American supplied several
Dianthus cultivars for evaluation in 1999. The dianthus was delivered as
plugs that were planted out into the field. Many of the cultivars flowered
repeatedly during the growing season. Philip Katz felt that some of the
cultivars would probably overwinter in Maryland and serve as a perennial
cut flower. We tested Dianthus 'Pink', 'Rose Eye', 'Carmine Red', 'DN225',
'White Eye', 'Scarlet', and Dianthus 'Mix'. See web page for data charts
of performance for each variety and for grower comments.
Thanks to all of the suppliers
and growers who participated with us in filed testing in 1999. We will
continue the research for "our perfect wave" into 2000. |
1999
Maryland Trials of New
Cut Flower Species
Region of Impact: Maryland
Co-operators for cut flower
trials: Pan American Seed Company, California, Benary Seed Company, Germany
and Cramer's Posie Patch |
