1996 ASCFG National Cut Flower Trials
John Dole
Oklahome State University
Overview:
The format of year's trial report looks the same as last year's report, but we've tried to make it more useful. I've included more of the evaluator's comments and I've also included the town and state of the evaluator when that information would be helpful in interpreting the comments. These changes were suggested by Amy Malysa of Vermont and were greatly appreciated. I also want to thank Kathy Riley for being the first evaluator to return the trial results this year - Good job Kathy.
One of this year's notable cultivars is Nigella orientalis 'Transformer' from Kieft. 'Transformer' scored high in all of the categories and received excellent reviews for its interesting seed pods and color. Several evaluators were especially happy to find that 'Transformer' was taller than other Nigellas. Negative comment were mostly due to poor weather and too short of growing season in Northerly locations.
At the risk of being completely biased, the outstanding series in the trial was the 'Cutting type' Zinnias newly released by Benary. I'm biased because Benary has recently named the series 'Oklahoma' which is how it is listed in the trial report. We are especially proud of the name because the series has turned out to be a real winner (despite some grumbling about the name from some Texas growers who will remain nameless). The plants provide heavy season-long flower production on long stems. Here at Oklahoma State University, production ranged from over 24 stems/plant for 'Oklahoma White' to over 41 stems/plant for 'Oklahoma Scarlet'. The flower size is smaller than Benary's other major Zinnia series, 'Dahlia Blue Points', but the moderate resistance to powdery mildew has been retained.
Sakata's Ageratum 'Tall Blue Horizon' received high marks from evaluators, several of whom noted that the stem length and durability. Ageratum seems to have become one of the staples of the cut flower industry and this cultivar is one of the best..
On a final note, thanks to all of the evaluators who turned in their trial reports and the seed companies for supplying seed. Your participation is greatly appreciated; the cut flower trial provides valuable information for the ASCFG members.