Agrostemma 'Contessa Pale Pink'
Trial: Annual
Years Trialed: 2002
Good Qualities:
Beautiful soft pink color (4); Fast to flower (wk 24), flowers are pale pink becoming white, gives a duality to the color; Could be direct seeded - long vase life (10 days), easy to pick, 2nd flush; Each stem like a bouquet of pink flowers; Even with the heat (Zone 7), this beauty did well for us, though the bloom time was short - We cut it hard, but only got one cut - no rebloom; Quick growing, very pleasing to the eye; Growth habit of plants was less dense than 'Ocean Pearls' and 'Purple Queen', making harvest easier; Augments 'Purple Queen' well.
Problems:
Doesn't like heat (Zone 8a); Weak stems; Harvest window and vase-life were slightly shorter than 'Ocean Pearls' and 'Purple Queen'; Color fades quickly, not as disease resistant as 'Purple Queen'; Couldn't get them to germinate (Zone 5); I feel agrostemma is best as an over wintered annual here (Zone 7/8) - It would be a nice cut flower in the spring from a fall sowing - Too bad agostemma are not nearly as hot as they were 10 years ago; No germination, probably too hot, also poor germinating seed lot.
Trial Data
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | Average Spacing (in2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 6.6 | 21.8 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 150 |
| Range of Responses | 2-15 | 15-34 | 2-4 | 2-4 | 2-5 | 3-5 | 4-5 | 18-256 |
(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
American Takii
301 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
Comments:
Similar to 'Purple Queen' and 'Ocean Pearls'. We started too soon, as plants needed to be planted when the ground was too cold and wet - Planted in heated tunnel - This was a mistake - The stems were very weak - Will grow again later in season outside; I will probably grow this again.